Qatar and Nigeria agree on training and visa centres for Nigerian workers

The labour ministers of Qatar and Nigeria agreed to establish a centre to train jobseekers seeking work abroad and a Qatari visa centre in Nigeria to facilitate safe and orderly labour migration.

Qatar and Nigeria have agreed to establish a training centre and a Qatari visa centre in Nigeria to strengthen cooperation on labour issues and regulate the safe and orderly movement of Nigerian workers seeking employment in the Gulf state, Nigeria's Ministry of Labour and Employment said in a statement.

The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Qatar's Minister of Labour, Dr Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, and his Nigerian counterpart, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, on the sidelines of the 358th session of the International Labour Organization's Governing Body in Geneva. The Qatar News Agency and Nigeria's Daily Champion reported the agreement.

The Nigerian and Qatari labour ministers during their meeting on the sidelines of the International Labour Organization meetings

Training before departure

Under the proposed arrangement, the training centre will prepare Nigerians seeking jobs abroad and provide them with the skills and knowledge required, ensuring that they are qualified before beginning their work journey. The visa centre will facilitate visa procedures for Nigerians travelling to Qatar for work and other purposes.

Dingyadi said the agreement reflected the two countries' commitment to strengthening cooperation on labour and employment issues, particularly in addressing challenges related to international labour migration. The statement, signed by the ministry's head of media and public relations, Anna Daniel, said the two countries were committed to exploring practical measures to provide better job opportunities for Nigerians.

The agreement comes days after Qatar's Ministry of Labour announced that expatriate workers in certain professions would be required to obtain a training certificate and pass a test at centres accredited by the ministry before being hired. The measure is based on Article 23 bis, and the ministry is to publish the list of covered professions on its official website, Nigerian website Legit reported.

Photos: Qatar News Agency, Daily Champion

Qatar and Nigeria agree on training and visa centres for Nigerian workers

The labour ministers of Qatar and Nigeria agreed to establish a centre to train jobseekers seeking work abroad and a Qatari visa centre in Nigeria to facilitate safe and orderly labour migration.