Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the issue surrounding domestic workers in Kuwait is not a diplomatic ban but an earlier measure introduced by the Nigerian Embassy to address concerns over workers’ welfare and protection.
The clarification follows reports suggesting that the Kuwaiti government had recently stopped the recruitment of Nigerian domestic workers.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry explained that the suspension of recruitment and deployment was initiated by the Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait City several years ago while concerns relating to the treatment, safety and working conditions of Nigerian workers were being addressed.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the reports of a fresh ban by Kuwait did not accurately represent the situation.
According to the ministry, the decision was part of measures taken by Nigeria’s diplomatic mission to protect citizens seeking employment opportunities in the Gulf country.
It stressed that the matter should not be interpreted as a new restriction imposed by Kuwaiti authorities, but as an ongoing process aimed at ensuring the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers abroad.
The ministry said both countries are continuing engagements through diplomatic channels to establish a framework that supports fair recruitment practices, legal protection and decent working conditions for Nigerian workers.
It added that relevant government agencies from Nigeria and Kuwait remain committed to finding a mutually beneficial approach to labour and migration-related issues.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry urged members of the public to verify information through official channels before sharing reports, warning that inaccurate claims could create unnecessary concerns for Nigerians living in Kuwait and their families.
