Sunday, August 2, 2026 -The Federal Government has clarified reports claiming that Kuwait recently imposed a ban on the recruitment of Nigerian domestic workers, describing the reports as misleading.
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 1, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs said the reports do not accurately reflect the current
situation, explaining that the suspension of recruitment was initiated by
Nigeria's diplomatic mission in Kuwait several years ago.
According to the ministry, the Embassy of Nigeria in Kuwait
had formally requested the suspension of the recruitment and deployment of
Nigerian domestic workers pending the resolution of concerns over their
welfare, protection and working conditions.
The ministry said: "The Ministry wishes to clarify that
the reports DO NOT accurately reflect the current situation. The Embassy of
Nigeria in Kuwait City, Kuwait, had, a few years ago, formally written to the
host Ministry of Foreign Affairs to suspend the recruitment and deployment of
domestic workers/housemaids from Nigeria to the State of Kuwait pending the
resolution of concerns relating to the welfare, protection, and working
conditions of Nigerian domestic workers in the country."
It added: "The issue is not a fresh ban imposed by the
Kuwaiti authorities on Nigerian domestic workers, but rather a continuation of
measures earlier adopted by the Embassy to ensure the safety, dignity, and
rights of its citizens seeking employment abroad."
Reports had emerged in June claiming that Kuwait introduced
new labour regulations restricting the recruitment of domestic workers from
Nigeria, Kenya, Chad and several other African countries. The reports stated
that the Kuwait Ministry of Interior issued a circular aimed at strengthening
oversight of the domestic labour sector through revised administrative
procedures.
However, the Nigerian government said the suspension
involving Nigerian domestic workers predates those reports and was introduced
at the request of the Nigerian Embassy because of concerns about the treatment
of Nigerian workers in Kuwait.
The ministry noted that Kuwait remains one of the major
destinations for African migrant workers, particularly in domestic work,
construction and other low-skilled service sectors, adding that concerns over
the welfare of Nigerians employed in the country prompted the earlier decision.
It also disclosed that Nigeria and Kuwait are working
towards establishing a mutually beneficial framework that will guarantee fair
recruitment practices, adequate legal protection and decent working conditions
for Nigerian workers. The ministry urged members of the public to verify
information from official sources before sharing or publishing it
It said: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges members of the public
to exercise caution and verify information from official sources before
publication to avoid the dissemination of misleading reports that could cause
unnecessary concern among Nigerians residing in Kuwait and their families at
home."
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