Nigeria and the Philippines established their bilateral, diplomatic and trade relation in August 1962.

[1][2] The Philippines previously imposed a deployment ban to Nigeria due to incidents of kidnappings of Filipino seafarers in the Niger Delta[3] between 2006 and 2009[4] but has since been lifted after the Philippines recognized that the insurgency in the Delta has been properly addressed.

Thereby calling for more active steps to be taken by both countries to further strengthen and deepen their existing ties in necessary areas.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Professor Viola Onwuliri told an audience at the second edition of Nigeria–Philippines Joint Commission held in Abuja that in spite of the long-standing relations between both countries, the economic and trade relations have been quite low.

[1] Nigeria continues to be a hub for Overseas Filipinos primarily workers involved in the oil, gas and construction industry of the country.