Nigeria, Qatar to Establish Training, Visa
Nigeria and Qatar have agreed to establish a workers’ training centre and a Qatar Visa Centre in Nigeria to facilitate access to overseas employment opportunities and strengthen bilateral cooperation on labour migration.
The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, and his Qatari counterpart on the sidelines of the 358th Session of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland.
The proposed training centre is expected to equip Nigerians seeking employment in Qatar and other international destinations with relevant skills, knowledge and workplace competencies required to compete in the global labour market.
The initiative is also aimed at ensuring that prospective migrant workers are adequately prepared before travelling abroad, thereby promoting responsible recruitment and reducing challenges associated with international labour migration.
Similarly, the two countries agreed to establish a Qatar Visa Centre in Nigeria to simplify and facilitate visa processing for Nigerians travelling to the Gulf country for employment and other purposes.
The facility is expected to improve access to visa services, streamline application procedures and strengthen the institutional framework for safe, orderly and regular migration.
Speaking on the agreement, Dingyadi said the initiative demonstrated the commitment of both countries to expanding cooperation in labour and employment, particularly in creating better opportunities for Nigerian workers.
He noted that the proposed facilities would help prepare prospective migrant workers, facilitate access to international employment opportunities and promote appropriate channels for labour migration.
The agreement also highlights the importance of bilateral partnerships in addressing challenges relating to international recruitment, workers’ mobility and the protection of migrant workers.
Both countries expressed their readiness to deepen collaboration and implement practical measures that would enhance employment prospects for Nigerians while ensuring that migration to Qatar takes place through safe, transparent and regulated channels.
The development is expected to open new opportunities for Nigerian workers seeking employment in Qatar while strengthening labour relations between the two countries.
Annah Daniel
Head, Press and Public Relations
