The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced that it will soon open a Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Abuja, Nigeria. This new office will be there to help and protect the estimated 6,000 Filipinos living and working in Nigeria.
The DMW made this announcement after Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, together with the Philippine ambassador to Nigeria, Mersole Mellejor, met with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar and Labor Minister Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi. They talked about how both countries can work better together in terms of jobs, worker safety, and possible job opportunities in the future.
According to the DMW, the new MWO in Abuja will not only help Filipinos in Nigeria, but also those in 12 other West and Central African countries under the Philippine Embassy in Abuja’s care.
The office will make it easier and faster to solve job-related problems, give legal help, offer welfare assistance, and make sure there is better coordination between the Philippine government, Nigerian officials, and employers.
Minister Tuggar shared that there are good opportunities for Filipino professionals in Nigeria’s electrical, solar energy, and new technology industries. Meanwhile, Minister Dingyadi expressed full support for the new office and said they will work on a labor agreement between the Philippines and Nigeria soon.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country and the largest producer of crude oil and natural gas. Its oil wealth has helped the country grow quickly in infrastructure, construction, and other industries—creating more job openings for skilled and semi-skilled workers, including Filipinos.
The DMW also mentioned that Nigeria’s growing agribusiness and services sector could lead to even more job opportunities and stronger cooperation between the two countries in hiring Filipino workers.
