Give workers their dues, Kadiri charges employers
By Abubakar Imam
The Director of the Ilorin Business School, University of Ilorin, Prof. Ismaila Bolarinwa Kadiri, has called on stakeholders to ensure that workers are remunerated in line with the true cost of living, saying that they should always be given their dues.
Prof. Kadiri gave this advice last Thursday (February 12, 2026) while delivering the 296th Inaugural Lecture of the University, tilted “Let My Wage Take Me Home: Issues And Controversies”, at the University Auditorium.
The Inaugural Lecturer said that it is very important to ensure that minimum wages are raised or reviewed periodically to enable workers afford basic necessities of life, saying that the gap between wages and the cost of living must be bridged.
Prof. Kadiri, who is also a former Head of the Department of Industrial and Personnel Management,said that the payment of commensurate remuneration is possible through a joint negotiation and agreement by all actors in the industrial relations system.
He added that deliberate measures must be made to ensure that there is no poverty among those who are employed, saying that everybody must be given the opportunity to live a dignified life.
Speaking on the negative impact of inflation on workers, the Inaugural Lecturer canvassed the curtailment of the inflationary rate and price increase for workers’ remuneration to be meaningful.
Prof. Kadiri similarly called for the strengthening of social safety nets such as healthcare, housing assistance and food security programmes to support individuals and families during financial hardship.
He added that current social security programmes should be energised to meet the current global challenges.
Prof. Kadiri also suggested the incorporation of social corporate responsibility in the policies and programmes of employers. He explained that businesses should be encouraged to adopt fair wage practices and invest in their employees’ well-being.
The Inaugural Lecturer noted that the recognition of the significance of a well-compensated workforce is integral to the long term success of every organisation.
Prof. Kadiri also canvassed the raising of awareness by both the government and private individuals and organisations about the realities of wage insufficiency and advocating for systemic changes through public campaigns, education and community engagement.
Realising the importance of sound health derivable from rest, Prof. Kadiri suggested that annual leave should be enforced by the government and other employers of labour.
He said that taking advantage of annual leave must be made compulsory for all grade levels with automatic approval backed up with funds
Prof. Kadiri said that automatic leave approval should be granted with full payment of the leave allowance, adding that it will go a long way in ensuring quick resumption to duty post by workers as at when due.
The Inaugural Lecturer said that every effort must be made to ensure that there is no industrial disharmony. He said that concerted efforts from all sectors of the society must be made to ensure a united front that would ensure the creation of a more equitable and sustainable future.
Prof. Kadiri explained that the measure of a society’s progress is not merely in its economic indicators but also in the well-being of its people.
The Inaugural Lecture, which was presided over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, who was represented by the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. Biodun Sulyman Alabi, was attended by the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Labour Matters, Comrade Mumini Abdulkareem Onagun; a former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Professor Emeritus Musibau Adewumi Akanji; the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Summit University, Offa, Prof. H. O. B. Oloyede; the National President of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik; and tthe Provost, Kwara State College of Education, Oro, Prof. Mukail Aremu, among several others from far and near.