Nigeria’s government has denied reports that Kuwait has placed a fresh ban on Nigerian domestic workers, clarifying that Nigeria itself had previously suspended deployments to the Gulf state over worker safety concerns.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja responded to widespread reports claiming Kuwait had added Nigeria to a list of restricted nations. The ministry explained that it was actually the Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait City that had formally requested a halt to domestic worker deployments a few years ago to protect its citizens.
Voluntary Suspension over Worker Safeguards
Spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the action was taken to address ongoing concerns regarding working conditions, legal protections, and the overall welfare of Nigerian domestic staff in Kuwait.”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.”
The ministry added that both nations remain in active diplomatic talks to establish a revised recruitment framework that will guarantee adequate legal protections and fair working conditions before any deployment resumes.
Gulf Labour Crackdowns and Misinformation
The clarification follows recent headlines suggesting Kuwait had imposed sweeping new restrictions barring domestic workers from nearly 30 African and Asian nations. The foreign ministry urged the public and media outlets to verify reports through official channels to avoid creating unnecessary panic among Nigerians living in the Gulf region and their families back home.
Context: Domestic Work in the Gulf
Suspension Status: The deployment of Nigerian housemaids to Kuwait remains officially on hold by decision of the Nigerian diplomatic mission.
Bilateral Talks: Diplomatic negotiations are ongoing to establish formal legal safeguards for migrant domestic workers.
Public Advice: Nigerians are advised to rely strictly on official government advisories regarding overseas employment opportunities.
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