Nigeria and the Philippines have agreed to deepen bilateral relations through the establishment of a Nigeria-Philippines Business Council and further consultations on the proposed creation of a Migrant Workers’ Office at the Philippine Embassy in Abuja.
The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and her Philippine counterpart, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, focused on expanding economic cooperation and identifying new areas of mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.
The two ministers identified fertilizer production, food security and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as priority areas for increased bilateral cooperation.
They also agreed on the need to convene the next Nigeria-Philippines Bilateral Consultation to advance discussions on the identified areas and other issues of mutual interest.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria attaches great importance to its relationship with the Philippines, noting that the proposed Business Council would provide a platform for the private sectors of both countries to deepen trade and investment.
She added that discussions on migrant workers reflected the shared commitment of both countries to ensuring that their citizens living and working in each other’s territories are treated with dignity and protected under the law.
The ministers further agreed to pursue reciprocal ministerial-level visits during the first and second quarters of 2027 as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and advance cooperation.
Education and human capital development also featured in the discussions, with both sides expressing interest in expanding student scholarship and exchange programmes, as well as facilitating the mutual recognition of educational certificates.
On the proposed Migrant Workers’ Office, the two countries discussed establishing a Labour Desk/Office at the Philippine Embassy in Abuja to promote the welfare, safety and protection of migrant workers and address issues relating to their rights and immigration status.
The proposal is, however, subject to further consultations among relevant stakeholders in both countries.
The consultations are expected to involve relevant departments of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Nigerian Embassy in Manila and other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the consultations will seek to develop a balanced framework that addresses the interests of both countries while safeguarding the welfare and interests of Nigerians working and residing in the Philippines.
The meeting reaffirmed Nigeria and the Philippines’ commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, education, labour mobility and people-to-people exchanges.
