The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association has called for deeper private-sector commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance standards, positioning ESG as a core requirement for business sustainability, competitiveness and global investment access. The Director-General made the appeal in Lagos during the launch of the ESG State of Play Report, a study jointly developed by NECA and the International Labour Organization, and described as the first nationwide benchmark assessing awareness, adoption and readiness levels among Nigerian employers. He explained that the document is expected to guide policymakers, investors, development institutions and business leaders, adding that it will strengthen dialogue between government and industry while fast-tracking responsible business practice across the economy.
He noted that ESG has moved from a voluntary corporate gesture to a strategic business necessity, especially as international markets now link access to finance, supply chains and global partnerships to sustainability performance and transparent reporting. According to him, early adopters will be better positioned for future regulations and trade opportunities, particularly in sectors seeking foreign investment or international collaboration. The launch, held at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja on December 5, 2025, drew participation from regulatory agencies and leading companies including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the National Council on Climate Change, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Lagos State Government representatives, Dangote Industries, Access Bank, British American Tobacco Marketing Nigeria, Nestlé Nigeria, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other sustainability-focused organisations.
The Director-General acknowledged the ILO partnership under the LEADER Programme aimed at driving corporate social and environmental responsibility, and reaffirmed NECA’s role in capacity building through policy advocacy, technical support and the dissemination of ESG knowledge across business ecosystems. He stressed that adoption must not be limited to large corporations alone. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, he said, need incentives, training and financial and technical guidance to transition smoothly, especially as many operate in sectors vulnerable to climate risks, compliance gaps and limited reporting capability. For MSMEs, integrating ESG could unlock market credibility, attract responsible financing and boost export readiness, while also preparing them for sustainability-based regulations that may shape future trade environments.
He expressed confidence that the new report will ignite structured policy conversations, improve regulatory alignment and deepen collective action in the private sector. He added that responsible enterprise remains central to Nigeria’s growth trajectory and that NECA will continue to support employers in embedding environmental responsibility, social equity and transparent governance into business culture. The organisation believes that a more climate-conscious private sector can inspire innovation, protect long-term investments and build a business environment where Nigerian companies, including MSMEs, compete favourably on a global stage.
