Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — In a significant step towards enhancing labour cooperation and opportunities for Nigerian workers abroad, Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment signed a Bilateral Labour Agreement on Workers Recruitment with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia earlier today in Riyadh. The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Global Labour Market Conference (GLMC 2026), a high‑level international forum focusing on shaping future labour market policies and international employment cooperation.
Held under the theme “Future in Progress,” GLMC 2026 has brought together labour ministers, policymakers, industry leaders and experts from around the globe to discuss pressing workforce challenges, skills development, employment mobility and labour market resilience. The conference is being hosted at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, attracting participation from more than 40 labour ministers and representatives of international organisations, with a broader attendance that includes private sector and civil society stakeholders.
The newly signed agreement establishes a formal framework for the recruitment of Nigerian workers into the Saudi labour market, aiming to ensure that recruitment processes are safe, transparent, orderly and aligned with international labour standards. While details of the pact’s specific provisions have not been fully released, bilateral labour agreements typically include measures to protect recruited workers’ rights, clarify contractual obligations, and set common procedures for recruitment and deployment — all intended to safeguard workers from exploitation and irregular practices as they seek employment abroad.
Officials from both sides described the signing as a milestone in strengthening labour relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. For Nigeria, the agreement is seen as part of broader efforts to expand access to lawful and dignified job opportunities for its citizens overseas, while ensuring adequate protection and welfare safeguards. Previous statements by the Nigerian Ministry of Labour have emphasised the importance of such agreements in regulating migrant work and protecting Nigerian workers from exploitation and unsafe recruitment practices.
Saudi Arabia, one of the largest labour markets in the Gulf region, has increasingly pursued structured labour pacts with partner countries to manage workforce inflows under regulated terms, enhance worker protections, and support its economic diversification goals under the Vision 2030 development strategy. The Kingdom has also hosted numerous labour cooperation forums and signed related memoranda of understanding aimed at improving employment conditions and aligning recruitment practices with global standards.
The signing at GLMC 2026 underscores the growing role of international labour diplomacy in addressing global workforce challenges, including skills shortages, demographic pressures and migration dynamics. As the world economy evolves with technological change and shifting labour demands, such bilateral agreements form part of a broader story of multilateral efforts to manage labour mobility while promoting decent work and protecting migrant workers’ rights.
Participants at the conference have also discussed a range of strategic priorities, including the responsible use of data and analytics in labour markets, promoting skills recognition and portability across borders, and adapting social protection systems for mobile workers — all actions that could reinforce the objectives of new bilateral arrangements like the Nigeria‑Saudi labour pact.
As the conference concludes, stakeholders are expected to leverage these discussions to strengthen implementation frameworks and support policies that enhance employment opportunities while safeguarding workers’ welfare on both sides of migration corridors.
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