By Joy Odor Abuja
Nigeria and the Republic of the Philippines have taken a decisive step toward transforming their labor and migration relationship into a strategic partnership, reaffirming commitments to protect migrant workers, combat human trafficking, and boost skills exchange.
At a high-level meeting in Abuja, Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, hosted Philippine Secretary of Migrant Workers, Hon. Hans Leo J. Cacdac, who led a delegation on a working visit.
The talks centered on safeguarding the rights of migrant workers, establishing stronger labor governance systems, and expanding bilateral cooperation.
Tuggar lauded the historical contributions of Filipino professionals to Nigeria’s education and development, noting that many Nigerians were taught by Filipino teachers, especially in science and technology.
He said Nigeria is keen to adapt the Philippines’ globally respected migrant protection model, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “4D” foreign policy of Democracy, Demography, Development, and Diaspora.
Cacdac praised Nigeria for providing a safe environment for Filipino workers and announced plans to establish a Migrant Workers Office within the Philippine Embassy in Abuja to enhance services for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
He also revealed that nine bilateral agreements are nearing completion, with a tenth focused specifically on labor cooperation under active discussion.
The meeting also explored leveraging Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (TAC) which deploys skilled professionals abroad into a revenue-generating skills-export platform in partnership with the Philippines.
Both sides agreed to pursue joint initiatives on fair recruitment, migrant reintegration, skills certification, anti-trafficking mechanisms, and data-sharing systems.
Follow-up engagements with Nigeria’s Ministry of Labour are expected to formalize these arrangements.
Officials expressed optimism that the partnership could serve as a regional model for labor diplomacy in the Global South, demonstrating how migration can drive mutual prosperity when anchored in respect, trust, and people-centered policies.
