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NECA Throws Full Weight Behind FG’s Migration Reforms

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NECA pariah to investment

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has reaffirmed its support for the ongoing migration reforms of the federal government.

The Director General of NECA, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, speaking at a Stakeholders’ Sensitization Workshop on Expatriate Quota Reform, New Visa Regime and Post-Amnesty Programme held in Kano recently, commended the government for taking the bold step to embark on these reforms aimed to engender dignity and economic growth.

He informed the gathering that the post-amnesty programme intersects meaningfully with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for free-flow of goods, services, and persons across the continent.

Mr Oyerinde noted that NECA remains committed to fostering an economy where law, enterprise, and opportunity coexist, declaring that the group is open to collaborating with stakeholders to transform the post-amnesty process into a model of structured inclusion, turning compliance into confidence and sustainable development for Nigeria and the wider African continent.

“Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy, must lead by example, demonstrating that lawful mobility and economic opportunity can coexist within a secure and predictable policy environment.

“For the private sector, the post-amnesty programme is both timely and necessary. It ensures employers operate within clear legal parameters, protects enterprises from liability, and enhances workforce integrity.

“It also contributes to enterprise sustainability by aligning workforce planning with national immigration frameworks. NECA stands ready to collaborate with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in providing continuous engagement, capacity-building, and advocacy to ensure that this policy achieves its intended goals,” the DG stated.

Applauding the foresight of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the diligence of the NIS Comptroller-General, Ms Kemi Nanna Nandap, in driving the reform agenda with balance and purpose, he stated that the post-amnesty programme convened by the Ministry demonstrates that migration can be managed in a way that protects national interest, promotes human dignity, and strengthens economic growth.

“I must commend the Minister of Interior, whose visionary leadership continues to redefine the administration of internal security and migration in Nigeria. His results-driven approach has positioned the ministry as a model of reform and accountability.

“I also want to acknowledge the steady and pragmatic leadership of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, whose commitment to operational excellence and humane enforcement is giving new credibility to the Nigeria Immigration Service,” he said.

He described the ministry’s ambitious reforms, including the post-amnesty enforcement sensitisation, as a reflection of the federal government’s determination to move towards global realities and practices with fairness, clarity, and firmness.

“We align with the ministry’s and NIS’s various initiatives because we are convinced that they are not punitive but restorative. It offers foreign nationals who may have fallen out of compliance with immigration regulations a lawful path to regularisation, reinforcing Nigeria’s sovereignty and adherence to the rule of law. This is what effective migration governance looks like, firm on standards yet humane in execution,” he said.

Mr Oyerinde stressed that when governed by clear rules and strong institutions, migration remains a source of national strength. He also emphasised the need for regularisation of the process to help create visibility within the system, enabling the government to plan better, employers to comply confidently, and migrants to contribute productively.

Advancing the economic benefits of migration, he noted that properly documented people are more likely to work lawfully, pay taxes, and participate in the formal economy, thus enhancing social cohesion and reducing vulnerabilities linked to irregular status.

He explained that some of the bold steps taken by the Ministry on migration align totally with international labour and migration standards and conventions of. By anchoring the sensitisation process on such principles, the NIS is positioning Nigeria as a regional example of humane and structured migration management.

“Globally, countries that have implemented similar regularisation exercises, such as Spain, Portugal, and Argentina, have recorded tangible socio-economic benefits, from improved labour compliance to expanded tax bases and better national security outcomes. Nigeria’s post-amnesty programme has that same potential,” he noted.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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NECA’s Annual Retreat for Business Managers, Executives Holds April 16

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NECA Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The annual retreat for business managers and executives organised by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) will take place from April 16 to 18, 2026, at the AAE & T Hotel, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

This year’s edition is themed The Resilient Enterprise, People and Systems: Building and Managing Businesses that Outlive Seasons, Cycles and Crises.

The programme aims to equip leaders with the insights, tools, and networks required to build resilient organisations in an increasingly complex business environment.

It will provide a unique platform for executive-level engagement through high-level conversations, peer learning sessions with experienced leaders, strategy reflection workshops, and curated networking opportunities.

Expected to attend are industry leaders, senior executives, and business managers from across sectors. They will explore strategies for sustaining organisational performance through leadership transitions, economic cycles, regulatory shifts, and market disruptions.

Participants will also benefit from interactive discussions focused on strengthening corporate governance, developing agile leadership capabilities, and building organisational systems that can withstand periods of uncertainty and transformation.

A notice from NECA said the event is open to both members and non-members, with participation fees set at N300,000 for members and N320,000 for non-members. Discounts will also be available for Gold and Silver members, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

Interested participants are encouraged to register via the official registration link to secure their place at the retreat, which promises to deliver valuable insights and connections for executives seeking to build enterprises capable of thriving through seasons of change and uncertainty.

The Director-General of NECA, Mr Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, noted that by convening business managers and senior executives in a collaborative learning environment, the association aims to contribute to the development of stronger, future-ready enterprises that can drive economic growth, create jobs, and support national development even in the face of evolving global and local challenges.

He added that the retreat will provide executives with the opportunity to step away from daily operational demands and engage in deeper strategic conversations with peers and industry experts.

“The theme of this year’s retreat speaks directly to the realities businesses face today. Across sectors, organisations are navigating leadership transitions, regulatory shifts, economic pressures, and technological disruption.

“What distinguishes enduring enterprises is their ability to build strong systems, develop capable leaders, and create organisational cultures that can adapt and respond effectively to change,” the NECA chief said.

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Egbin Power Commissions 80 New Staff Housing Units

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Egbin Power 80 New Staff Housing Units

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

In further demonstration of its unwavering commitment to its workforce, Nigeria’s foremost power generation company, Egbin Power Plc, has unveiled 80 new residential housing units for employees within its plant premises in Egbin, Lagos State.

This comprises 40 fully furnished three-bedroom apartments and 40 furnished studio apartments, all designed to contemporary standards.

The units feature modern infrastructure and thoughtfully planned utilities, creating a safe, comfortable, and conducive living environment that supports both employee productivity and family well-being.

This strategic investment underscores the company’s philosophy that a well-supported workforce is fundamental to sustained operational excellence.

The new housing units are part of a holistic strategy to cultivate a stable, motivated, and future-ready workforce.

This strategy extends beyond infrastructure to encompass robust career development and recognition. Over the past three years, Egbin Power has promoted 112 employees across various cadres, reinforcing a culture that rewards merit, performance, and long-term dedication

“At Egbin Power, our people are our most valuable asset. Even amidst the prevailing liquidity and operational realities within the broader power sector, our focus on employee welfare has remained deliberate and consistent.

“This significant expansion of our residential estate is a tangible expression of that commitment.

“It is one of several key initiatives aimed at ensuring our employees feel genuinely supported, allowing them to thrive both personally and professionally,” the chief executive of Egbin Power, Mr Mokhtar Bounour, said.

Initiated in 2025 and completed in January 2026, this project is the latest milestone in Egbin Power’s structured and ongoing approach to enhancing employee welfare. It reflects the energy firm’s dedication to fostering a culture where every team member feels valued, secure, and motivated.

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NGX Group, CSCS, WIMBIZ to Ring Bell for Gender Equality

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Ring Bell for Gender Equality

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Nigerian Exchange Group House in Lagos, the role of capital markets in promoting gender equality will be reemphasised through the closing gong ceremony in commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026.

The ceremony is part of the global Ring the Bell for Gender Equality campaign, which mobilises stock exchanges worldwide to expand women’s participation in the economy and advance gender-inclusive practices.

In Nigeria, the NGX Group is partnering with the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc and Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) to make it memorable under the theme Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.

Dignitaries expected at the ceremony include the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the First Lady of Imo State, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma; the Executive Commissioner for Legal and Enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Frana Chukwuogor; foremost actor, Ms Funke Akindele; a Director at the NGX Group, Ms Ojinnika Olaghere; and another staffer of NGX Group, Mrs Fatima Wali-Abdulrahman, alongside board members of NGX Group, regulators, capital market stakeholders, and industry leaders.

NGX Group is joining other exchanges worldwide in sounding the NGX Gong to underscore the importance of inclusive leadership, equal opportunities, and stronger market accountability in advancing gender equality.

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