Muhammadu Dingyadi, the Minister of Labour and Employment, stated on Thursday that Nigerians should not expect his ministry to provide jobs, as this is not part of its mandate.

He made this statement during the annual conference of the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja.

Dingyadi acknowledged the country’s large youth population and the importance of ensuring their engagement in productive activities. However, he stressed that the ministry’s primary role is to create an enabling environment for job opportunities rather than directly providing employment.

“You will agree with me that the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment is not to offer jobs directly. Instead, it focuses on fostering job creation, promoting inclusive investment, and enhancing productivity for improved service delivery as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Dingyadi explained.

He further shared an anecdote: “The former minister of youths and sports once requested that I provide jobs, and I had to clarify that we only create the environment for employment opportunities; we do not provide jobs ourselves.”

Dingyadi highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to economic recovery and transformation, citing initiatives such as negotiating a new Minimum Wage for workers and strategic investments in human capital, infrastructure, and institutional reforms.