Qatar in its recent move has shown keen interest in working step-by-step with Nigeria on labour migration, as per the top official.
The Charge d’Affaires of Qatar’s Embassy in Nigeria, Ahmad Al-Horr, has revealed this in Abuja in a meeting with Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige.
As per the local media reports, the envoy said that, “Qatar needs more Nigerian component in its labour force as the number of Nigerian workers in the nation is limited.”
Al-Horr has also marked machinery for a formal bilateral agreement with Nigeria on the matter has been put in place.
He said that, “We are processing the bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Qatar on the regulation of employment of Nigerian migrant workers in the State of Qatar. We need ties with the Labour Ministry as the number of Nigerian workers in Qatar is limited. We want more Nigerian workers in our nation.”
Meanwhile, Ngige in reply said that his ministry was working to formalize the bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Qatar on labour migration. Officials hope that the deal is among those to be signed by the President during his upcoming visit to the Gulf state.
While noting to potential work in oil and gas, “We need Nigerians to work in your place. We also appeal to you to find a way of formalizing the stay of Nigerians who are living and working in your place illegally.”
Nigeria is recognized as Africa’s largest economy & one of the top oil exporter, with crude oil sales, which accounts for 90% of its foreign exchange earnings.
Last year, Nigeria had requested to boost its economic cooperation with Qatar in gas development to boost its investment in the industry.
As per reports, Qatar is currently finalizing the plan to invest $5 billion into the African nation’s economy.
The two nations were also holding discussions over partnering in Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).
