Industry leaders have commended the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN) for promoting professionalism, ethical recruitment practices and improved human resource management in Nigeria’s private employment sector.
The commendation was made during the association’s 12th Annual National Workshop and 15th Annual General Meeting held at NECA House, Lagos, where stakeholders called for stronger collaboration to improve standards across recruitment, staffing and outsourcing services.
Speaking at the event, a representative of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Mr Gbenga Odetunde, praised EAPEAN for its advocacy of responsible employment practices.
Odetunde said the association was contributing to the professionalisation of the recruitment industry, urging operators to uphold established professional standards in their daily activities.
He stressed the importance of investing in human capital, warning that neglecting workforce development could undermine organisational performance and productivity.
He also reaffirmed CIPM’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at strengthening human resource management practices in the recruitment and staffing industry.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Workmen and Talent Limited, Mr Aderemi Adegboyega, described the annual gathering as an important platform for learning and professional development among recruitment agency executives and employees.
He said the workshop provided participants with opportunities to update their knowledge of human resource management, particularly in the administration of third-party workers.
Adegboyega called for stronger collaboration among private employment agencies, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and other stakeholders, noting that such partnerships could enhance productivity and workforce development.
The EAPEAN President and Chairman of Council, Chief Nzeribe Okegbue, said the association was implementing reforms to strengthen its institutional capacity and professionalise the operations of private employment agencies.
He disclosed that the association’s membership had increased from 302 at its 14th AGM in 2025 to 355 during the period under review.
According to him, the growth reflects the increasing importance recruitment businesses attach to collective representation, capacity building and structured engagement with regulators and other industry stakeholders.
Okegbue said EAPEAN would continue to promote compliance with its Code of Conduct and applicable labour standards while encouraging responsible recruitment and effective workforce management.
Participants at the workshop also emphasised the importance of continuous training and professional development in helping recruitment agencies adapt to changing employment practices, regulatory requirements and the needs of client organisations.
In his remarks, the Registrar of Trade Unions, Mr Rabiu Shuaibu, addressed the legal and constitutional obligations of registered organisations, stressing the need to comply with relevant laws and governing provisions.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Recruitment Integrity Assurance (IRARA), the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, CIPM and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Council.
The ILO Country Director, Dr Vanessa Phala, was represented by Mr Austin Erameh, while NECA Director-General, Mr Adewale Smatt Oyerinde, was among the dignitaries associated with the event.
Other dignitaries included the South-West Zonal Director and State Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Mienye Badejo; immediate past EAPEAN President, Dr Olufemi Ogunlowo; former President, Aderemi Adegboyega; members of the National Executive Council; and the association’s Executive Secretary, Mr Olajide Afolabi.
The workshop and AGM highlighted the need for sustained professional development, regulatory compliance and stronger institutional partnerships to improve the quality of recruitment, staffing and employment services in Nigeria.
Alternative headline: EAPEAN membership hits 355 as stakeholders push ethical recruitment standards