By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
Mr Issa Aremu, Director-General, Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) Ilorin, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for prioritising education through unprecedented improved funding.
Aremu gave the commendation on Friday in Ilorin at the 3rd Matriculation of the 19 newly admitted students of bachelor’s degree in Employment Relations and Human Resources Management of the institute.
The programme is in affiliation with the University of Ilorin.
He commended the establishment of the student loan scheme (NELFUND) with grants that had benefited over 900,000 students.
Aremu, who also hailed the Federal Government for appointing Mr Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, advised the new minister to match record-high budgetary allocations with prompt and adequate budget releases.
Speaking on the matriculation, the director-general described it as “a significant milestone” in the academic journey of newly admitted students and a defining moment in the continued growth of the institute.
According to him, matriculation symbolises students’ acceptance into a system built on discipline, excellence, integrity, and the pursuit of knowledge.
The director-general noted that MINILS was established in 1983, with the unique mandate for workers’ education.
He explained that the institute has trained hundreds of thousands of Nigerian workers, evolving to be a globally renowned centre of excellence in labour education.
“In 2013, MINILS pioneered the National Diploma in Industrial and Labour Relations, as part of its strategic effort to diversify and expand labour education services to our social partners.
“This initiative laid a strong foundation for professional training in labour relations within Nigeria.
“Building on this success, the institute further expanded its academic portfolio in 2019 with the commencement of the Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, in affiliation with the prestigious University of Ilorin,” he said.
According to him, this milestone represents a significant leap forward, further strengthening the position of the institute among its peers for better delivery of labour education service, suitable for the new world of work order.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, congratulated the newly admitted students for the opportunity given to them to study the degree programme.
The vice-chancellor, who emphasised the importance of matriculation, advised the freshers to remain dedicated in their quest for knowledge.
He commended the labour institute for its commitment to the programme, noting that the ceremony was third in the series.
Egbewole expressed optimism that the number of undergraduates would continue to increase with time and dedication to excellence.
He also pledged the university’s continued support in partnering with MINILS to produce skilled minds for the labour market and contribute to national development.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr Sylvanus Adamade, Coordinator of the Programme and Director, Academic and Distance Learning Programmes Department, explained that the programme commenced in 2019.
“The programme secured full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for five years.
“In 2024, our pioneer set of 20 students graduated and are currently serving the nation through the one-year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), contributing to national development across Nigeria,” he said.
Adamade stated that the final-year results of the second set of the students were presently being processed by Unilorin, following the successful conduct of their degree examinations in November 2025.
“The collaboration between MINILS and Unilorin in awarding bachelor’s degree holds great promise for nurturing future labour leaders.
“This programme’s curriculum is designed to equip trade union leaders and workers with theoretical and conceptual tools needed to navigate the complexities of the contemporary world of works,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu and Yetunde Fatungase
