FG, ILO unveil phase II of transition project to boost green jobs

The Nigerian government, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and with funding from the French government, has launched the second phase of the "Social Dimension of Ecological Transition" project. This initiative underscores Nigeria's commitment to a "just transition" towards a low-carbon economy, ensuring that environmental policies also foster decent work, social justice, and inclusive economic growth.

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It is my honour to deliver this keynote address at the launch of Phase II of the International Labour Organisation project on the Social Dimension of Ecological Transition. This gathering comes at an important moment as Nigeria deepens its commitment to climate action in a manner that advances decent work, social justice, sustainable enterprise development and inclusive growth.

Officially launched in Abuja, Phase II of the project, set to run from 2025 to 2029, aims to translate policy commitments into tangible progress. Dr. Muhammad Dingyadi, Nigeria's Minister of Labour and Employment, highlighted that this renewed partnership moves beyond aspirations to practical implementation. He emphasized that the project's success hinges on coordinated action among all stakeholders, including government officials, employers, workers' organizations, and climate experts.

Phase I of the project laid the groundwork by strengthening national capacity through research, social dialogue, and policy engagement. This resulted in the development of Nigeria's Just Transition Guidelines and Action Plan. The second phase is designed to build upon these successes by supporting sustainable businesses, creating green jobs, and enhancing community resilience in the face of climate change.

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The renewal of this programme from 2025 to 2029 is an opportunity to move from policy commitment to implementation and to turn shared aspiration into measurable progress for workers, employers and communities.

Minister Dingyadi urged all participating institutions to align their resources and expertise to implement Phase II effectively. He stressed that the true measure of success lies in converting commitments into investments, policies into programs, and programs into visible results for citizens. The project's focus on the social dimension of ecological transition signals a holistic approach to climate action, recognizing that environmental sustainability must be intertwined with economic opportunity and social equity.

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I therefore call on every institution represented here to move from commitment to coordinated action. Let us align our resources, expertise and social justice platforms behind the implementation of Phase II. The real test is implementation. Commitments must become investments, policies must become programmes and programmes must produce results that citizens can see and feel.