Saudi Arabia and Nigeria have signed their first workers’ recruitment agreement, further opening the Saudi labor market to skilled Nigerian professionals across a wide range of sectors.
The agreement represents a significant milestone in deepening cooperation between the two countries in the areas of labor mobility, skills development, and worker protection.
It aims to expand opportunities for Nigerian workers in Saudi Arabia while implementing measures to ensure fair and effective recruitment. It establishes a structured framework that protects the rights of both employers and workers, while regulating the contractual relationship between all parties.
Under the agreement, recruitment will be conducted exclusively through authorized and licensed channels, with an emphasis on transparency, compliance with applicable laws, and adherence to agreed standards governing employment terms, working conditions, and worker welfare.
It was signed on the sidelines of the Global Labor Market Conference 2026 in Riyadh by H.E. Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.
The agreement aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen labor market governance and promote a safe and fair working environment, in support of Vision 2030 objectives to improve labor market efficiency and enhance protections across the labor market.
Saudi Arabia sets new minimum monthly salary for all foreign workers
The minimum wage is set at Saudi Riyal SAR 1,000 per month, equivalent to approximately $266 (the Saudi Riyal is pegged at SAR 3.75 per dollar) or N390,000 a month at current exchange rates.
This is part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing labour reforms following changes to the Kafala system.
Workers have been advised to raise any issues promptly to ensure compliance and safeguard their rights under the updated labour regulations.
The minimum salary in Saudi Arabia varies based on nationality and sector, with distinct regulations for Saudi nationals, expatriates, and public sector employees.
There were 79,547 Nigerians recorded in Saudi Arabia during the 2022 census, with 10,651 of them employed in the private sector according to 2022 data.
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