The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed reports that Kuwait recently banned the recruitment of Nigerian domestic workers, describing the claims as incorrect.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the ministry explained that the suspension of the recruitment and deployment of domestic workers to Kuwait was introduced several years ago by the Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait City, rather than by the Kuwaiti government.
The statement, referenced MFA/PR/2026/183, was titled, “Ministry of Foreign Affairs Clarifies Reports on the Alleged Ban on Nigerian Domestic Workers in the State of Kuwait.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken note of recent media reports suggesting that the Government of Kuwait has imposed a ban on the recruitment of Nigerian domestic workers,” the statement read.
“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.”
The ministry explained that the development was not a new restriction imposed by Kuwaiti authorities, but a continuation of a measure it said the embassy had earlier adopted to protect Nigerian citizens seeking employment in the Gulf state.
“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,” it stated.
The ministry added that both countries would continue to engage through diplomatic channels on labour and migration matters, with a view to establishing a framework for fair recruitment practices and improved working conditions for Nigerian workers.
“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,” the statement added.
The ministry urged members of the public to verify information from official sources before publication, warning that misleading reports could cause unnecessary concern among Nigerians in Kuwait and their families back home.
“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,” the statement said.