The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced plans to resolve longstanding issues related to visa procurement for Nigerians traveling to the UAE. This was made known in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During a recent diplomatic meeting in Abuja, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, acknowledged that Nigerians have faced significant difficulties obtaining UAE visas, particularly tourism visas, despite the warm diplomatic relations between the two nations.
“Nigeria has remained committed to the relationship. The city of Dubai in the UAE has become a popular destination for many Nigerians,” said Odumegwu-Ojukwu. “Officially, about 12,000 Nigerians live in the UAE, ranging from unskilled workers to professionals and students across various institutions.”
The Minister highlighted the economic significance of Nigerian travelers to the UAE economy, noting that in 2015, nearly one million Nigerians visited the UAE, particularly Dubai. These visitors spent between $100 – $150 million on visas alone and more than $1 billion on shopping, school fees, tourism, and other activities.
UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Alshamsi, who visited the Minister, confirmed that progress has already been made in addressing visa challenges. “We have issued more than 700 tourism visas since July 2024, and I have had zero visa rejections since I assumed office,” Alshamsi stated.
The Ambassador explained that visas for government officials and private individuals have been issued over the past 18 months, handled by an appointed agent. He assured that the UAE remains committed to resolving the visa challenges faced by Nigerians.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for greater transparency regarding any new visa policies and stressed the need for a more balanced economic relationship between both countries. She also expressed appreciation for the UAE’s recent humanitarian assistance, including donations of relief materials to flood victims and vaccines for chickenpox patients.
Both officials confirmed plans to host a joint commission meeting in Nigeria, following the previous session hosted by the UAE in 2022. The commission will address various bilateral issues, including power, renewable energy, and other areas of mutual interest.
Alshamsi revealed that a major agreement is expected to be signed ahead of the Nigerian President’s scheduled visit to the UAE in the second quarter of 2025, further strengthening the 50-year relationship between the two nations.
Follow the AkweyaTV channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7m7dvJuyA7h5XMc22i
