Nasir Raji-Mustapha, the Director-General of the National Productivity Centre (NPC), expressed concerns that reducing workdays could lead to decreased worker productivity.
This comes as some states have shortened workweeks to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices following the removal of petrol subsidies.
Raji-Mustapha pointed out the lack of adequate infrastructure in Nigeria for effective remote work, making it difficult for employees to work from home.
He shared these thoughts during a management training event focused on performance management systems and productivity enhancement, organized by the NPC at the Anti-Corruption Academy in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
He said: “The truth is that work now is beyond physical work. Going to the office every day to do your work. You can work even when you are at home but there are issues around that in Nigeria.
“For us in this country, you need to have enough infrastructure to be able to work from home. So, reducing the number of days of work is not creative at all for a country like Nigeria.
“To reduce the number of days your workers will work, you should give them the facilities, the infrastructure that would enable them to work online.
“All over the world now, people are canvassing for less physical workplaces. You can work from any place. The most important thing is to meet up your target when a target is set for you.”
He also called upon state governors to establish the necessary infrastructure to facilitate employees’ ability to commute to their workplaces within the designated hours outlined in the ILO convention.
