Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Sign Maiden Bilateral Labour Recruitment Agreement

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have signed their first bilateral labour recruitment agreement, creating a regulated framework for the hiring of Nigerian workers in the Kingdom and marking a major milestone in labour migration cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement was signed at the Global Labour Market Conference 2026 in Riyadh and is designed to establish licensed and transparent recruitment channels, strengthen worker protections, and align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 workforce reforms. Under the new framework, recruitment of Nigerian workers into Saudi Arabia will be carried out through approved and regulated agencies, reducing the risks of illegal recruitment, worker exploitation, contract substitution, and human trafficking. The deal also introduces clearer employment standards covering wages, contract terms, dispute resolution mechanisms, working conditions, and employer accountability. Officials say the agreement will improve the safety and welfare of Nigerian workers by ensuring that contracts are verifiable, rights are enforceable, and employers are subject to oversight from both governments. It also sets up bilateral monitoring systems to handle complaints and ensure compliance with labour laws. For Nigeria, the agreement opens structured employment opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled workers across sectors such as construction, healthcare, hospitality, logistics, domestic services, and industrial trades. The move comes amid ongoing domestic job pressures and rising youth unemployment, offering a formal pathway for overseas employment. The pact is also expected to boost remittance inflows, which remain a critical source of foreign exchange and household income for millions of Nigerians. By formalizing labour migration, authorities hope to maximize economic benefits while protecting citizens working abroad. Saudi Arabia, on its part, views the agreement as part of its broader Vision 2030 strategy to modernize its labour market, diversify its economy, and meet workforce demands tied to major infrastructure and development projects. The Kingdom has been expanding international labour partnerships to support rapid growth in tourism, technology, construction, and industrial sectors. Labour experts describe the deal as a significant step toward safer, more transparent Africa–Gulf labour migration, potentially serving as a model for future agreements between Gulf countries and African nations. Both governments have pledged to begin implementation through agency accreditation, worker orientation programmes, contract verification systems, and joint oversight mechanisms to ensure the agreement delivers on its promises.