Professor Emeka Okafor, a scholar at the University of Ibadan, has warned that Nigeria’s soaring unemployment rates have resulted in an oversupply of cheap labor, leading to widespread exploitation in various sectors.
In his inaugural lecture titled “The Periphery of the Periphery: Exploring the Experiences of Non-Standard Workers,” Okafor highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by non-standard workers, such as casual employees.
These workers are often marginalized within organizations, lacking the ability to unionize, which makes them susceptible to exploitation.
Okafor urged both federal and state governments to enforce labor laws that protect these vulnerable workers, stating that their lack of representation hinders their ability to negotiate for better working conditions and fair pay.
He called for the regularization of non-standard workers, particularly in government ministries and agencies, to provide them with stable employment and career advancement opportunities.
Okafor emphasized the importance of job creation and regulatory reforms to improve working conditions and promote compliance with safety standards across all sectors.
