Nigeria and the Philippines have agreed to establish a Nigeria-Philippines Business Council to boost trade and investment, and to begin consultations on a proposed Migrant Workers’ Office at the Philippine Embassy in Abuja.
The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.
The meeting, held at the request of the Philippines, focused on strengthening bilateral ties and identifying new areas of cooperation.
Both ministers identified fertilizer production, food security, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as priority sectors for collaboration.
They also agreed to convene the next Nigeria-Philippines Bilateral Consultation and proposed reciprocal ministerial visits in the first and second quarters of 2027 to advance cooperation.
Speaking after the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria values its relationship with the Philippines and sees opportunities for practical economic and people-to-people partnerships.
On the proposed Migrant Workers’ Office, both sides said it would serve as a structured platform to promote the welfare, safety, and protection of migrant workers, including issues relating to their rights and immigration status.
The proposal will be subjected to further inter-agency consultations involving Nigeria’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labour and Employment, the Nigerian Embassy in Manila, and other relevant agencies, to ensure a balanced framework that protects the interests of nationals of both countries.
Both ministers also expressed interest in expanding scholarship and student exchange programmes and facilitating mutual recognition of educational certificates.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepening cooperation in economic development, trade, education, labour mobility, and people-to-people exchanges.
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(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
