DMW, Philippine Embassy Assure Support for Distressed OFWs in Nigeria; Baby Born in Detention Facility Symbolizes Hope.

By Raymond Enoch.

Distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) temporarily housed in an immigration facility in Lagos, Nigeria, have been assured of comprehensive government assistance and support following a visit by top officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Philippine Embassy in Abuja.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Mersole Mellejor personally met with around 40 Filipino nationals currently awaiting repatriation. Among them is a Filipina mother who recently gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Kiera, fathered by a Chinese national.

“We see baby Kiera not only as a child born of two migrants, but as a symbol of hope, dignity, and the enduring strength of Filipino workers wherever they are,” Secretary Cacdac said. “This is why we are here—to ensure that no Filipino is forgotten, especially in their most vulnerable moments.”

The mother, referred to as Jane for her privacy, is among the OFWs who have already been cleared for release and are now waiting for repatriation. Upon their return to the Philippines, the DMW has committed to providing immediate and comprehensive welfare and reintegration services in line with the Marcos administration’s whole-of-government approach.

Secretary Cacdac also expressed his appreciation for the close coordination between Nigerian authorities, the Philippine Embassy and Consulate, and other local partners that facilitated the assistance to the OFWs.

“The strong cooperation we’ve seen here underscores the importance of international solidarity in protecting migrant rights,” he added.

The DMW continues to coordinate closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Embassy in Abuja to ensure that all Filipino nationals in immigration facilities are granted legal aid and humanitarian support as needed.

In a show of goodwill, Nigerian Assistant Comptroller General El Anugwa commended the Filipino community, saying, “Filipinos are naturally law-abiding and among the most well-behaved foreigners in Nigeria. They show respect, cooperation, and serve as a calming presence among diverse groups.”

The Philippine government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of all OFWs, wherever they may be in the world.