How better work-family integration improves Nigeria’s socioeconomic outcomes

Nigeria’s socioeconomic landscape is shaped by various factors, including the interplay between work and family life.

The average Nigerian spends a significant portion of their life at work often between 40 to 50 hours or more in a week.

This means that responsive workplace policies are essential for national development, by exploring how better work-family integration can improve socioeconomic outcomes.

“Family-friendly policies create space for growth, innovation, and long-term success,” Fabia Ogunmekan, Principal Consultant, ADABA Initiatives, said during the 2025 International Day of Families breakfast dialogue organised by ADABA Initiative in Lagos.

According to her, embracing work-family integration supports mental well-being, which encourages greater workforce participation.

She added that work-family integration drives productivity, strengthens organisations, and advances national development.

Speaking further, Ogunmekan said this year’s International Day of Families, themed ‘Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development,’ is targeted at shaping systems that support families to thrive through shared efforts.

“At ADABA, we recognize that the family is the first place where values are taught, relationships are formed, and support systems are built. Families shape and influence our lives in many ways,” she said.

According to Ogunmekan, the breakfast dialogue was designed as a space to go beyond policy documents and reflect on what is working within the ecosystem.

“As caregiving roles evolve and work demands increase, the question before us is: Are our workplaces and systems truly supporting working families?

“It matters now more than ever because when families are protected, societies thrive,” she said.

Speaking on the dynamics between the family and work, Ogunmekan said the country have to be intentional about designing an inclusive policies that reflect today’s diverse family structures.

According to her, Nigerians need to move away from the idea that work and family compete for attention, to the understanding that both coexist as part of the same life reality.

“When we design with care and intentionality, we build work environments where people don’t have to choose between being present at home and being effective at work. That is the transformation we are advocating for,” she said

She posits that the government has a critical role to play in setting the pace and standards. According to her, the government can lead by example through implementation of family-oriented policies such as paid parental leave and flexible work options.

According to her the government can also provide investment in care infrastructure such as community-based childcare centres or creches.

“Government must also keep pace with demographic changes, acknowledging intergenerational dynamics, diverse family structures, and the need for inclusive protections,” she said.

According to Ogunmekan, the government should also lead by encouraging public-private partnerships to ensure workplace policies reflect the evolving realities of family life. “These steps will ensure no one is left behind,” she said.

Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya, special adviser to Lagos State governor on SDGs, said the theme of the dialogue, “Utilising policy towards employment and decent work for all families: Lessons from the private sector’ goes beyond paying for work done.

According to her, the dialogue highlights the importance of enabling conditions thot respect the full human experience, including family success, while also thriving at work.

“Going beyond the individual with an additional and intentional effort to provide support to working families through actionable policies is key to a more productive, healthy, inclusive and sustainable workforce,” said Finnih-Awokoya, who was represented by Aasiah Solanke, technical assistant to the SA on SDGs.

In a panel session moderated by Chinwe Saliu Ibiefo, senior HR Professional, panelists posited that private sector role in building care infrastructure is critical.

Amara Agbim, founder/CEO, The Nanny Academy, said the care sector is an emerging sector; hence the need to formalised care work with the private sector providing the finance and investment for more care homes.

Adefolashade Fadeyi, founder, The Executive Parent Ally (TEPA), said love is not enough to train a child, and urged parents to be responsive.

According to her, work-life balance should transit into work-life structure. “Parenting education must be part of our leadership development,” she said.

Ayodeji Bankole-Olusina, chief growth officer, Betterlife Living Benefits limited, said there is a direct connection between wellness, productivity and profit.

On her part, Adebisi Okusanya, managing consultant, HR Transformation LLC, said private organisations should move beyond labour laws. She posits that the culture of the business should speak to wellness.

Oluwatoyin Oladunjoye, project manager, ADABA Initiatives, said intentionality is key in deepening work-life balance.

According to her, organisations must adopt flexible work arrangements that are not one-size-fits-all. “Invest in care ecosystems, including wellness benefits, on-site childcare, and support for diverse families.”

She added that organisations must train their employees to lead with empathy and create psychologically safe workplaces. According to her, organisations must continuously review and evaluate policy implementation.

Let’s build systems that are truly responsive to the realities of families. Let’s move beyond performative policies into a space of intentional design, inclusive practice, and shared responsibility and let’s remember that work and family are not competing priorities; they are coexisting realities. When we lead with care, everyone thrives,” Oladunjoye added.