Philippines, Nigeria Strengthen Diplomatic Ties in Labour and Migration
Oru Leonard
The Philippines has pledged to deepen diplomatic ties with Nigeria, particularly in the areas of labour and migration. This commitment was made during a meeting between Hans Cacdac, Secretary of Migrant Workers of the Philippines, and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, in Abuja.
The Philippines aims to strengthen bilateral labour relations with Nigeria, which hosts between 4,000 to 6,000 Filipino workers. This includes exploring areas for mutual benefit, such as capacity building and sharing best practices in combating illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
The two countries discussed ways to enhance cooperation in protecting the rights and welfare of migrant workers. The Philippines plans to establish a Labour Office in its embassy in Nigeria, with a labour attaché to coordinate with Nigerian authorities and provide services to the Filipino community.
Both nations expressed interest in learning from each other’s experiences and exploring areas of economic cooperation that could benefit both countries.
Speaking, Ambassador Tuggar highlighted the long-standing diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the Philippines, dating back to the independence era. He noted that many Nigerians were taught by Filipino teachers, particularly in STEM subjects, and that Filipino workers have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s aviation and maritime industries.
The meeting emphasized the potential for mutual benefits in areas such as labour, migration, and economic development. Nigeria, with its large youthful population, looks forward to learning from the Philippines’ experience in managing migrant workers and generating revenue through remittances.
Cover Photo Caption: L-R: Hans Cacdac, Secretary of Migrant Workers of The Philippines and Nige.ria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar.
