By Ameh Gabriel
Abuja, Nigeria – August 14, 2025 Nigeria and the Philippines have taken bold steps to deepen their bilateral relationship, focusing on labor and migration cooperation that prioritizes the welfare, skills, and dignity of migrant workers.
In a high-level meeting in Abuja, both countries outlined plans to align policies, enhance data-sharing systems, and create structured mechanisms for managing labor migration. The discussions also explored strategies for fair recruitment practices, migrant reintegration, and skills certification.
Philippines Secretary for Migrant Workers, Hans Leo Cacdac, commended Nigeria’s openness to collaboration and stressed the importance of learning from each other’s experiences to improve labor systems. He reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to a relationship built on trust, people-centered diplomacy, and respect for national sovereignty.
A key highlight of the talks was the planned establishment of a Philippines Migrant Workers Office in Abuja a move expected to institutionalize Philippine presence in Nigeria’s labor affairs and strengthen direct engagement.
Both nations agreed to expand skill exchange programmes, invest in human capital development, and ensure that labor migration benefits the socio-economic growth of both countries. They also expressed optimism that their cooperation could serve as a regional model for labor diplomacy in the Global South, showcasing how development-oriented migration partnerships can thrive on mutual respect and shared prosperity.
As the meeting concluded, officials from both sides emphasized that this new phase in Nigeria Philippines relations is anchored not just in diplomacy, but also in the dignity, mobility, and empowerment of their people.
