Nigeria and Qatar have agreed to establish a training centre and a Qatar Visa Centre in Nigeria to facilitate overseas employment opportunities and promote safe and regulated labour migration for Nigerian workers.

The agreement followed a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, and his Qatari counterpart on the sidelines of the 358th Session of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Under the proposed arrangement, the training centre will provide prospective migrant workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to prepare them for employment opportunities abroad.

The two countries further agreed to establish a Qatar Visa Centre in Nigeria to ease visa processing for Nigerians travelling to the Gulf country for employment and other purposes.

The initiative is expected to enhance access to overseas employment opportunities while ensuring that prospective migrant workers are adequately prepared before travelling.

Mr Dingyadi said the agreement demonstrated both countries’ commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in labour and employment matters, especially in addressing challenges associated with international labour migration.

He added that the proposed facilities would boost efforts to promote decent employment opportunities and ensure that Nigerians have access to jobs abroad through safe, orderly and regular channels.

The meeting also stressed the importance of international partnerships in addressing issues surrounding recruitment, workers’ mobility and the protection of migrant workers.

Both countries reiterated their commitment to deepening labour cooperation and exploring practical steps to improve employment prospects for Nigerian workers.