Nigeria and UAE Collaborate to Address Visa Procurement Challenges
The governments of Nigeria and the UAE are scheduled to meet to resolve visa procurement issues affecting Nigerians. This decision follows discussions between UAE Ambassador Salem Saeed Alshamsi and Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. Both parties stressed the need for enhanced collaboration and the resolution of existing agreements to promote economic partnerships.
The governments of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to convene to address challenges faced by Nigerians in securing visas, particularly for tourism purposes. This initiative emerged from a visit by UAE Ambassador Salem Saeed Alshamsi to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.
Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed concerns about the substantial difficulties Nigerians encounter in obtaining UAE visas. She recognized the enduring diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the UAE, noting that Dubai, in particular, has become a favored destination for Nigerians. Currently, around 12,000 Nigerians reside in the UAE, spanning various professions and academic pursuits.
In 2015, nearly one million Nigerians visited the UAE, contributing significantly to its economy by spending hundreds of millions of dollars on visas and over a billion dollars on shopping and other activities. The Minister emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration to address the economic imbalance and further explore mutual interests.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu articulated concerns raised by government officials regarding potential changes to UAE visa policies. She stressed the importance of clear communication to Nigerians regarding their visa status and highlighted the significant investments Nigerians have made in UAE properties, conferences, and tourism.
The Minister announced plans to host a joint commission following the last meeting held in the UAE in 2022, focusing on various bilateral matters, including energy and infrastructure. She expressed hope that this meeting would enable the resolution of outstanding Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between the two nations.
Ambassador Alshamsi expressed his support for addressing the visa application issues encountered by Nigerians and reiterated his commitment to the existing agreements. He noted his success in increasing visa issuance and maintaining a zero rejection rate since his appointment, with over 700 tourism visas granted since July 2024.
Acknowledging previous instances of disagreement, Alshamsi emphasized the importance of partnership and team collaboration. He conveyed the goal of signing additional agreements before the scheduled visit of the Nigerian President to the UAE later this year and assured that a meeting would be held to tackle the ongoing visa challenges effectively.
In conclusion, the upcoming meeting between Nigeria and the UAE aims to tackle the visa procurement difficulties faced by Nigerians. With strong diplomatic relations in place, both nations are keen to enhance their economic collaboration through a joint commission. The commitments made by Ambassador Alshamsi to resolve visa issues and boost partnerships demonstrate a collaborative approach to further strengthen the ties between Nigeria and the UAE.
Original Source: dailypost.ng
