Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have signed their inaugural bilateral labour recruitment agreement. The pact, finalized on the sidelines of the ongoing Global Labour Market Conference (GLMC 2026) in Riyadh, establishes a formal, regulated framework for the employment of Nigerian workers in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement was inked by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, and Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.
It marks the first structured labour mobility arrangement between the two countries, moving away from informal or unregulated channels that have sometimes exposed workers to exploitation.
Key highlights of the deal include:
Licensed and transparent recruitment processes to ensure fair hiring practices.
Strong protections for workers, covering wages, working conditions, safety, and rights.
Priority access for Nigerian skilled and general workers across various sectors in Saudi Arabia.
Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 reforms, which aim to diversify the workforce and improve labour standards.
Benefits for Nigeria, including reduced irregular migration risks, increased remittances, and structured job opportunities amid domestic unemployment challenges.
Officials described the agreement as a “win-win” partnership. For Saudi Arabia, it supports ongoing efforts to build a more balanced, skilled labour market. For Nigeria, it provides a safer alternative to risky migration routes while potentially boosting foreign exchange inflows through remittances.
The signing has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing optimism about new employment prospects abroad. Posts celebrating the news with Nigerian and Saudi flags have circulated rapidly, though some voices have raised concerns about potential brain drain in critical sectors like healthcare.
This deal is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to expand bilateral labour agreements with major destination countries, ensuring better oversight and dignity for its citizens working overseas.
As implementation details roll out, the agreement is expected to create thousands of regulated job opportunities and deepen economic cooperation between the two nations.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com