Ilorin: Mr Issa Aremu, Director-General of the Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) Ilorin, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for prioritizing education through unprecedented improved funding. Aremu gave the commendation during the 3rd Matriculation ceremony of 19 newly admitted students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Employment Relations and Human Resources Management at the institute.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the program is affiliated with the University of Ilorin. Aremu praised the establishment of the student loan scheme (NELFUND), which has benefited over 900,000 students. He also acknowledged the Federal Government’s appointment of Mr Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance and advised the minister to ensure that record-high budgetary allocations are matched with prompt and adequate budget releases.
Speaking on the matriculation, Aremu described it as a significant milestone in the academic journey of the newly admitted students and a defining moment in the institute’s growth. He emphasized that matriculation symbolizes 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 a unique mandate for workers’ education. He explained that the institute has trained hundreds of thousands of Nigerian workers and has evolved into a globally renowned center of excellence in labor education. In 2013, MINILS pioneered the National Diploma in Industrial and Labour Relations, diversifying labor education services. This initiative laid a strong foundation for professional training in labor relations within Nigeria. Building on this success, the institute expanded its academic portfolio in 2019 by offering a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, in affiliation with the University of Ilorin.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, congratulated the newly admitted students for the opportunity to study the degree program. He emphasized the importance of matriculation and advised the freshers to remain dedicated in their quest for knowledge. Egbewole commended the labor institute for its commitment to the program and expressed optimism that the number of undergraduates would continue to increase with time and dedication to excellence. He pledged the university’s continued support in partnering with MINILS to produce skilled minds for the labor market and contribute to national development.
Earlier, Dr Sylvanus Adamade, Coordinator of the Programme and Director of Academic and Distance Learning Programmes Department, explained that the program commenced in 2019. It secured full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for five years. In 2024, the pioneer set of 20 students graduated and are currently serving the nation through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Adamade stated that the final-year results of the second set of students are being processed by Unilorin, following the successful degree examinations in November 2025.
The collaboration between MINILS and Unilorin in awarding bachelor’s degrees holds great promise for nurturing future labor leaders.