Abstract
This article investigated the power of the Nigerian Minister for Labour and Empowerment in resolving or settlement of trade and/or labour related dispute under the Trade Disputes Act 1976. The article elucidated the conceptual meaning of some key terms and highlighted on the various trade dispute settlement mechanisms under the Trade Disputes Act; to wit: Negotiation, Mediation, Conciliation, Industrial Arbitration Panel, Board of Inquiry and the NationalIndustrial Court of Nigeria respectively. It revealed the powers vested on the Minister of labour and employment to supervise negotiation and medication processes and to appoint a conciliator, chairman and members of the Industrial Arbitration Panel, Board of inquiry and constitute both the IAP and the Board of inquiry. The minister’s power to decide the remuneration and allowances on the approval of the minister of finance was also x-rayed. His power to refer back an award to the arbitration panel for reconsideration and power to direct trade dispute to the national industrial court were considered and the article ended with a conclusion and recommendations.