Nigeria has the largest delegation at the ongoing 112th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, with 289 registered delegates. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), this makes Nigeria's delegation the largest among the 187 countries represented at the event.

Led by Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, the Nigerian contingent includes 108 government delegates, 62 employers’ delegates, and 116 workers’ delegates. Two individuals are listed as accompanying the minister. Notable delegates include Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Festus Osifo, president of the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

Brazil follows Nigeria with 191 delegates, while Argentina has 156, Mexico 140, and Ghana 133. The conference, which concludes on June 14 (today), addresses issues such as protecting workers from climate change effects and biological hazards, the care economy, and fundamental principles and rights at work. It will also elect the governing body that will lead the ILO from 2024 to 2027.

This extensive participation mirrors Nigeria’s presence at COP28 in December 2023, where it had the highest number of delegates from Africa and was tied for the third-highest overall. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) listed Nigeria alongside China with 1,411 badges each. The UAE had the largest delegation with 4,409 badges, followed by Brazil with 3,081.

At COP28, Nigeria's delegation included government officials, NGO staff, and celebrities, contributing to the conference's record attendance of over 84,000 people.

Back home, Nigerian labour unions are currently in conflict with the federal government over a new minimum wage, having recently suspended a two-day nationwide strike.