Saudi Arabia and Nigeria have signed their first-ever bilateral agreement on the recruitment of general workers, creating a formal labour corridor between Africa’s largest economy and the Middle East’s biggest labour market.

he deal signals a strategic shift in how Nigerian labour is absorbed into Gulf economies, moving from informal migration pipelines to a regulated, state-backed framework.

Signed on the sidelines of the Global Labour Market Conference 2026 in Riyadh, the agreement positions Nigeria as a priority labour partner for Saudi Arabia at a time when the kingdom is aggressively reshaping its workforce under Vision 2030.

For Nigeria, it offers a new outlet for employment at scale amid persistent domestic job pressures.

he agreement was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, and Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.

Business Insider Africa spoke with one of the delegates, who described the deal as a foundational framework that will govern recruitment, placement, and worker protections moving forward.

What the agreement changes for Nigerian workers

At its core, the pact establishes a regulated recruitment system that channels Nigerian workers into Saudi Arabia through licensed and authorised agencies only.

This move is designed to eliminate informal middlemen, reduce exploitation risks, and ensure contracts are transparent and enforceable.

Employment terms, including wages, working hours, housing, and welfare, will now fall under mutually agreed standards monitored by both governments.

Why Saudi Arabia needs Nigerian labour

Saudi Arabia has increasingly leaned on foreign labour to meet demand in construction, services, healthcare, hospitality, and logistics as mega-projects linked to Vision 2030 accelerate.

While Asian labour has historically dominated the Saudi workforce, African countries — particularly Nigeria, are now emerging as key sources of young, trainable labour.

Why the deal matters for Nigeria

For Nigeria, the agreement comes at a critical moment. Youth unemployment remains elevated, while remittances from overseas workers continue to be a vital source of foreign exchange.

By formalising labour migration to Saudi Arabia, the government aims to protect workers abroad while also maximising the economic benefits of overseas employment.

A test case for Africa–Gulf labour partnerships

The deal aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader push to modernise labour governance, improve compliance, and strengthen worker protections, areas that have drawn international scrutiny in the past.

Riyadh has increasingly framed labour reform as central to economic diversification and global competitiveness. (Business Insider Africa)