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DE RUEHUJA #1258/01 1901232
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 091232Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6508
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 1983
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0943
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 1621
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ABUJA 001258 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DRL, AF/W 
DOL FOR SUDHA HALEY 
USAID FOR KIMBERLY LUDWIG 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB EAID PGOV PHUM PREL NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA LABOR MINISTER AND DELEGATION TO VISIT U.S. 
 
REF: A. ABUJA 1191 
     ¶B. ABUJA 1117 
     ¶C. ABUJA 821 
     ¶D. ABUJA 809 
 
¶1. (U) This cable contains an action request in para 6. 
 
¶2. (U) SUMMARY:  Nigeria's Minister of Labor and Productivity 
Prince Adetokunbo Kayode and a delegation of high-level 
Nigerian labor sector officials will travel to the United 
States on July 25 for the Minister's first labor orientation 
trip since becoming Minister in December 2008.  Mission 
Nigeria sees this visit as an opportunity for the USG to 
address Nigeria's currently fractured labor sector.  The trip 
will also be an opportunity to address Nigeria's inability to 
pass and implement important child labor laws, as well as 
learn about USG policies and practices related to tripartite 
dialogue, employment and training, wage and hour compliance, 
labor conflict resolution, and labor legislation.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
NIGERIA'S LABOR SECTOR: KEY ISSUES 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶3. (U) Since Adetokunbo Kayode became Minister of Labour and 
Productivity in December 2008, there have been more than 
seven strikes or threats of strikes in the education, 
aviation, textile, health, legal, petroleum, and 
transportation sectors.  Kayode inherited some of these labor 
conflicts and is making efforts to address them. He 
inaugurated the Standing Committee on Government Labor 
Relations in March 2009 to deal with relations between 
government and Nigerian organized labor, and in April held a 
National Labor Summit to spur momentum for employment 
creation (reftel D).  In May, Kayode announced that he had 
also set up a tripartite social dialogue to build consensus 
with all labor stakeholders. 
 
¶4. (U) Despite the committees, summits, and national plans, 
the Minister's efforts have yet to produce any tangible 
results.  The GON has moved no closer to resolving the strong 
ideological discord between government, organized labor, and 
the private sector.  It has yet to respond to organized 
labor's present demands for increased minimum wage, cessation 
of downstream petroleum deregulation, and implementation of 
its electoral reform recommendations.  Meanwhile, 
representatives of the private sector are highly critical 
both of the government and of organized labor for not 
embracing market liberalization as it slowly disassociates 
itself from the two bodies.  So far, any efforts to prevent 
discord and discontent among tripartite stakeholders have 
been ad hoc and occur only after dialogue breaks down 
completely and protest rallies commence, (reftels A, B, and 
C). 
 
¶5. (U) Nigeria has also been slow to act on important 
legislation.  The GON has still not passed the National 
Policy on Child Labor or National Action Plan for the 
Elimination of Child Labor.  The Ministry of Labor and 
Productivity, with assistance from the USG-funded ILO-IPEC 
LUTRENA Program, drafted in 2006 a Draft National Policy on 
Child Labor and a Draft National Plan of Action for the 
Elimination of Child Labor.  Despite the fact that both the 
policy and the action plan remain with the Federal Executive 
Council (FEC) awaiting approval, the Ministry reports that 
its provisions are being widely implemented.  In addition, 
the Ministry of Labor decided to collaborate with the Child 
Development Department of Ministry of Women's Affairs and 
Social Development to expand the action plan.  Nonetheless, 
the Federal Government's best efforts to devise a national 
policy to combat the worst forms of child labor, has been 
hampered both by delays in passage within the FEC, and 
competition within the government for limited resources. 
Additional legislation is currently before the House of 
Representatives, which is aimed to solicit input from a 
 
ABUJA 00001258  002 OF 004 
 
 
variety of stakeholders to shape the structure of Nigeria's 
triparte labor relationships.  This legislation was also the 
result of USG assistance, which funded an ILO legal review in 
2003 of Nigeria's labor laws. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
ACTION REQUEST: VISIT ITINERARY 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶6. (U) Mission Nigeria requests Department assistance in 
supporting the delegation's visit, specifically coordinating 
the Labor Minister's meetings with high-level counterparts, 
where possible, at the Departments of State and Labor, USAID, 
and the U.S. Congress.  In addition, we believe that a tour 
of a local "One-Stop Center" or other similar local job 
development center for which the delegation has expressed 
great interest, would be beneficial.  (Note: The delegation 
will also be assisted in Washington by Ollie Anderson, 
President of Anderson International, LLC, and former U.S. 
Labor Attache in Lagos from 1987-89, who will coordinate the 
non-USG portion of the trip.  End Note.)  Possible meetings 
for the delegation include, but are not limited to the 
following:  Department of Labor (ILAB, ETA, Wage and Hour, 
and Labor Statistics bureaus); Department of State (DRL and 
AF Bureaus); USAID (DCHA or AFR Bureaus); and U.S. Senate and 
House Chairmen (or members) of labor committees. 
 
- - - - - - - - 
THE DELEGATION 
- - - - - - - - 
 
¶7. (U) Below are the names, biographies and interests of the 
visiting Nigerian labor delegation. 
 
Mr. Adetokunbo Kayode 
Minister of Labour and Productivity 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Hon. Prince Adetokunbo Kayode was appointed as Nigeria's 
Minister of Labour and Productivity in December 2008.  Prior 
to this appointment, he was Minister of Culture and Tourism 
at the inception President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Administration 
in 2007.  Kayode was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on October 31, 
1958, to the Ojere Ruling House of Ikaram-Akoko, Akoko 
North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.  Kayode 
graduated with a Bachelor of Law (LLB) Degree from University 
of Lagos in 1981 and became a member of Nigeria's Bar 
Association in 1982.  He also received a diploma in 
International Commercial Arbitration from Oxford University 
in 2003. He began his career in 1983 as an Associate and 
later Junior Partner with Orifunmishe and Company. From 1990 
to 2007 he was Managing Partner of Kayode and Company.  He 
served as a member of the Council of Legal Education, a 
member of the Federal Judicial Service Commission, member of 
the Presidential Committee on Democracy and Good Governance, 
and member of the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria. He 
was also part of Yar'Adua's legal team that successfully 
defended the 2007 Presidential election case at the Supreme 
Court.  Minister Kayode expressed to LabOff on several 
occasions his keen interest in One-Stop Centers and other 
similar employment and training programs in the United 
States.  His overall interest is in employment generation, 
peaceful and efficient conflict resolution mechanism and 
consensus building.  Minister Kayode also expressed interest 
in exchanging ideas and information with high-level 
counterparts at DOL and DOS. 
 
Mr. Wilson Ake 
Senator in Nigerian National Assembly 
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and 
Productivity 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
- - 
Hon. Senator Ake is a member of the Senate of the National 
Assembly of  Nigeria.  Senator Ake was elected Senator to 
represent South West Senatorial district of Rivers State from 
2004 to 2007 and re-elected in 2007 for another term of four 
 
ABUJA 00001258  003 OF 004 
 
 
years.  He is currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee 
on Employment, Labour and Productivity.  His committee has 
the oversight function for Employment, Labour and 
Productivity activities in Nigeria.  The Committee is 
presently involved in the review of Nigerian Labour Laws. 
Senator Ake was a member of the House of Representatives from 
1999 to 2003.  He was the Deputy Chairman of 
Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State from 
1990-1991.  Senator Ake was born on September 21, 1955 at 
Erema in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers 
State.  Senator Ake's interest on this trip includes labor 
legislation, meeting with U.S. legislators on labor 
committees, conflict resolution, and youth employment and 
skills development, particularly vocational education and 
training. 
 
Mr. Ado Dogo Audu 
Representative in Nigerian National Assembly 
House Committee Chairman on Employment, Labour and 
Productivity 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
- 
Hon. Ado Dogo Audu is a member of the House of 
Representatives of Nigeria representing Jamaa Sanga Area of 
Kaduna State.  He was first elected to the house in 1999 and 
has been re-elected in 2003 and 2007.  He is currently the 
chairman of Nigeria's House Committee on Employment, Labour 
and Productivity.  He was born on February 24, 1964, in Jamaa 
Local Government Area of Kaduna State.  Hon. Audu's interests 
include labor legislation, meeting with U.S. legislators on 
Senate and House Labor Committees, conflict resolution, 
social security, conflict resolution, and international labor 
issues. 
 
Mr. John A. Olanrewaju 
Director General 
Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Mr. Olanrewaju is the Director General of MINILS, a GON 
agency responsible for worker education and training in 
Nigeria to develop the negotiation and leadership skills of 
GON's tripartite stakeholders.  Since 2003, Olanrewaju has 
coordinated the Industrial Relations Partnership Initiative 
(IRPI) between the Nigerian and American organized labor, 
which has led to highly useful exchanges between MINILS in 
Nigeria, and the National Labor College in Maryland as well 
as the New Initiative Community Development Corporation 
(NCDC) in Washington, DC.  The IRPI program is being 
facilitated with the support of U.S. Mission Nigeria's Labor 
Attach.  Over 100 Nigerians have benefited from these 
exchange programs to the United States under the IRPI 
program.  Olanrewaju holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors, 
Master of Public Administration, and Master of Science in 
Development Studies.  He is currently pursuing his Ph.D in 
Organizational Management at Capella University Minneapolis, 
MN.  Olanrewaju was born on November 20, 1960 at Isanlu in 
Kogi State of Nigeria.  Olanrewaju is the principle 
coordinator of this visiting delegation and will accompany 
the Labor Minister in all of his meetings.  Olanrewaju's own 
interests include promoting international best practices in 
labor and management relations and facilitating comparative 
studies in labor education. 
 
Mr. Paul Mari Bdliva, PhD 
Director General, National Productivity Centre (NPC) 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Before joining the NPC, Paul Mari Bdliya was a Senior 
Lecturer with the University of Maiduguri in Borno State. 
Bdliya received his Bachelor of Science from Ahmadu Bello 
University Zaria in 1979 and M.Sc. and PhD in Agronomy from 
Iowa State University in 1984 and 1987, respectively.  Bdliya 
was born on June 13, 1953, in Marama, Borno State Nigeria. 
Bdliva expressed interest to meet with USDOL's Bureau of 
Labor and Employment Statistics to discuss capacity building 
on labor productivity measurement, also the focus for his 
July 2008 visit to the George Meany Institute of Labour 
 
ABUJA 00001258  004 OF 004 
 
 
Studies in Maryland. 
 
Mr. Abubakar Mohammed 
Director General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE) 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed was appointed as the CEO and 
Director General of the NDE in December 2008, where he has 
been employed for over twenty years.  Mohammed has helped the 
NDE to address youth unemployment and implement vocational 
skills development training. He is also responsible for 
leading Nigeria's broader job creation efforts as promised by 
the Minster of Labor and Productivity in Nigeria's National 
Employment Summit in January.  Mohammed received his 
bachelor's degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a 
Master's degree in Development Studies from The Hague, 
Netherlands.  He was born on January 25, 1952 in Katsina 
State, Nigeria.  Mohammed has expressed interest in learning 
about USG efforts to deal with the current unemployment 
crisis and any models he can replicate in Nigeria upon his 
return. 
 
Mr. Adesoji Adesugba 
Technical Assistant to the Minister of Labour and Productivity 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
- 
Mr. Adesugba is currently seconded to the Ministry of Labour 
and Productivity from the Nigerian Investment Promotion 
Commission in Nigeria, where he is Director of Investment 
Promotion.  Mr. Adesugba holds a B.Sc, LLB, M.Sc (Investment 
Promotion and Economic Development).  He was born on May 27, 
1959 in Lagos, Lagos State.  Mr. Adesugba will accompany the 
Minister on this trip as his Technical Assistant to cover 
secretariat and other logistic arrangement during the trip. 
 
Mr. John Ademola Kolawole 
Secretary General, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Mr. Kolawole is currently the Secretary General of on of 
Nigeria's largest union consortiums, with considerable 
influence within the petroleum sector, since 2003.  Before 
his tenure with the TUC, he was Vice Chairman of Ojo Local 
Government in Lagos State from 1991-2003.  From 1986 to 1990, 
Kolawole was General Secretary for the Precision, Electrical, 
and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESS). 
Kolawole was also an Assistant Labor Inspector and Labor 
Officer in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity 
for over a decade, from 1975 to 1986.  Kolawole has a 
Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of 
Lagos; a Certificate in Industrial Relations and Trade 
Unionism from the University of Ibadan; and a Diploma in 
Cooperative and Labour Studies from the Histdrundt 
International Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel.   Kolawole was 
born on March 15, 1948 in Oka Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. His 
interests include labor management and administration, 
conflict resolution, social dialogue, and economic 
development. 
 
Mr. Sule Adisa Adewolu 
Chairman, Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Mr. Adewolu was appointed chairman of the Industrial 
Arbitration Panel (IAP) in 2005, which is in charge of 
tripartite dispute settlement and conflict resolution.  He is 
also a Barrister and Solicitor of Nigeria's Supreme court, 
and was a former Attorney General and Commissioner in Ogun 
State.  Adewolu was born on June 2, 1945 in Ogun State.  His 
interests include mediation, conciliation, and arbitration. 
 
¶8. (U) This cable was coordinated with U.S. Consulate Lagos. 
SANDERS