Get Guardian on GoogleNigeria and Qatar have agreed to establish dedicated training and visa centres in Nigeria to prepare prospective migrant workers for overseas employment and facilitate their movement to the Gulf country, as both governments seek to strengthen the management of labour migration.
The proposed facilities will provide skills preparation for Nigerians seeking jobs in Qatar and streamline visa processing, introducing new institutional arrangements aimed at making overseas employment more accessible and promoting safe, orderly and regular migration.
The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between the 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 Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland.
Under the arrangement, the training centre will equip prospective Nigerian migrant workers with relevant skills and knowledge required to access employment opportunities abroad.
The facility is expected to improve the preparedness of Nigerians seeking overseas jobs by ensuring they acquire the necessary skills before travelling to take up employment.
The second facility, a Qatar Visa Centre, will be established in Nigeria to facilitate visa applications for Nigerians travelling to Qatar for employment and other purposes.
The centre is also expected to make visa processing more accessible and strengthen the channels through which Nigerians access employment opportunities in the Gulf country.
The agreement comes amid growing attention to the need for structured labour migration arrangements that prepare workers for international employment while ensuring that recruitment and movement take place through recognised channels.
Speaking on the development, Dingyadi said the agreement reflected the commitment of both countries to strengthening cooperation in labour and employment matters, particularly in addressing challenges associated with international labour migration.
For Nigeria, the proposed centres are expected to strengthen institutional arrangements for managing labour migration, improve the preparation of prospective migrant workers and facilitate access to employment opportunities outside the country.
The initiative also forms part of efforts by both governments to promote decent employment opportunities and encourage regular migration through appropriate procedures.
The meeting further highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation in addressing international recruitment, workers’ mobility and the protection of migrant workers.
Both countries expressed their commitment to deepening labour cooperation and exploring practical measures to expand employment prospects for Nigerian workers while promoting safe and regular migration.
