August 18, 2025,
About 40 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Nigeria are set to return home to the Philippines after the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) secured their release from the Lagos immigration facility
In a news release Sunday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the successful release of the distressed OFWs from the immigration facility was secured through the strong cooperation between the DMW, the Nigerian authorities, the Philippine Embassy and Consulate, and other local partners.
He said the DMW will continue to work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Abuja to ensure that Filipino nationals in immigration facilities receive appropriate legal assistance and humanitarian support.
Cacdac, together with Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Mersole Mellejor, personally visited the detainees over the weekend to assure them of immediate government assistance and repatriation.
Among those cleared for release is a Filipina who recently gave birth to a baby girl with a Chinese father.
Cacdac expressed gratitude to Nigerian authorities and local partners for their cooperation in facilitating the release.
He assured continuous assistance from the Philippine government for all OFWs staying in the immigration facility.
Upon arrival in the Philippines, the OFWs will be provided with welfare assistance and reintegration services under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s whole-of-government approach to migrant worker protection. (PNA)