The Federal Government has clarified reports suggesting that Kuwait recently imposed a ban on the recruitment of Nigerian domestic workers, stating that the suspension was initiated by Nigeria to safeguard the welfare of its citizens.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said media reports portraying the development as a fresh ban by the Kuwaiti authorities were misleading.

According to him, the Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait had, several years ago, formally requested the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs to suspend the recruitment and deployment of Nigerian domestic workers pending the resolution of concerns over their welfare, protection and working conditions.

“The Embassy of Nigeria in Kuwait City 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,” Ebienfa said.

He explained that the current situation is not the result of a new restriction imposed by Kuwait but the continuation of an earlier measure adopted at Nigeria’s request.

“Therefore, the issue is not 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,” he added.

Ebienfa noted that Nigeria and Kuwait would continue to engage through diplomatic channels on labour and migration issues with the aim of establishing a framework that guarantees fair recruitment practices, adequate legal protection and decent working conditions for Nigerian workers.

He also urged the public and the media to verify information from official sources before publication to prevent the spread of misleading reports capable of causing unnecessary anxiety among Nigerians living in Kuwait and their families.