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Clarifies ban on Nigerian domestic workers in Kuwait
Ninety-seven per cent of the ambassadors appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have successfully received the agrément of their respective host countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued in Abuja by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, noted that the diplomatic process of seeking and obtaining agrément is progressing smoothly and successfully in line with established international diplomatic practice.
It recalled that a total of 69 ambassadors-designate were assigned to different countries by President Tinubu following their screening and confirmation by the Senate.
The ministry further said that, of the number, 65 have been accepted by the receiving countries.
“Whereas the ambassador-designate to the Republic of Togo had declined the offer of appointment and request for her Agreement not lodged, the Ambassador-Designate to Algeria died in April 2026, and the process of replacement is ongoing.
“Therefore, there are only two countries pending that the Ministry is yet to receive confirmation of acceptance/agreement. However, assurances have been received from the two friendly countries that their consent would be given in due course,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
While assuring Nigerians and international stakeholders that it is actively engaging the relevant authorities in the two countries, the ministry also said it was confident that the outstanding agreements would be conveyed in due course.
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“It is important to state that the majority of our ambassadors have since arrived in their host countries and presented their Letters of Credence to commence their representational duties as Principal Envoys of Mr President.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic representation abroad in furtherance of the nation’s foreign policy objectives and national interest,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified reports on the alleged ban on Nigerian domestic workers in the State of Kuwait.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, in a statement issued in Abuja, said the ministry had taken note of recent media reports suggesting that the Government of Kuwait had imposed a ban on the recruitment of Nigerian domestic workers.
“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. Therefore, the issue is not of 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.
“The Ministry further notes that both Nigeria and Kuwait will continue to engage constructively through diplomatic channels on labour and migration-related matters. Competent authorities from both sides will continue to engage with a view to establishing a mutually beneficial framework that guarantees fair recruitment practices, adequate legal protection, and decent working conditions for Nigerian workers.
“In light of the foregoing, 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,” Ebienfa said.
