Nigeria and UAE Set to Resolve Visa Procurement Issues

Nigeria and UAE officials will meet to resolve ongoing visa issues for Nigerians traveling to the UAE. The meeting follows discussions between UAE Ambassador Salem Alshamsi and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. Key topics include concerns over visa policies and enhancing bilateral economic collaboration. Both sides express commitment to strengthening their diplomatic relationship.

Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are scheduled to convene in the coming days to address ongoing issues related to visa procurement for Nigerians wishing to travel to the UAE. This decision follows a courtesy visit by UAE Ambassador Salem Alshamsi to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As noted in a statement from the minister’s media aide, Magnus Eze, challenges in obtaining UAE visas, particularly for tourism, have been a concern for Nigerians. Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu recognized the strong diplomatic relations and strategic partnerships existing between Nigeria and the UAE, asserting Nigeria’s commitment to nurturing this long-standing relationship.

The Minister pointed out that Dubai has become a favored destination for many Nigerians, with around 12,000 Nigerians residing in the UAE, encompassing various demographics such as unskilled workers, professionals, and students. In 2015, nearly one million Nigerians traveled to the UAE, spending significant amounts on visas and related economic activities.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted that Nigeria’s economic dealings with the UAE appear somewhat imbalanced, urging for collaborative initiatives that serve Nigeria’s economic interests better. She further raised concerns about the status of UAE visas, seeking clarity on any new policies and stressing the need to communicate effectively with Nigerian citizens about these matters.

Additionally, she announced the upcoming hosting of a joint commission in Nigeria to discuss multiple bilateral concerns such as power and renewable energy, following a similar meeting held by the UAE in 2022. The Minister expressed optimism that this commission would succeed in finalizing outstanding memoranda of understanding and advancing shared economic objectives.

In response, Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her appointment and praised the developments in Nigeria-UAE relations over the past half-century. He emphasized his dedication to resolving the visa challenges for Nigerians and mentioned issuing over 700 tourism visas since his arrival in Nigeria, with ongoing efforts to streamline the process further.

Alshamsi assured that despite occasional disagreements, the intention is collaborative, stressing the importance of partnership and upcoming agreements to be signed before the Nigerian President visits the UAE. He expressed a shared commitment to address and resolve the existing visa concerns.

The impending meeting between Nigeria and the UAE aims to tackle visa procurement issues for Nigerians seeking travel to the UAE, underscoring the importance of their diplomatic relationship. Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu has articulated concerns regarding the status of these visas and the need for further collaboration to strengthen economic ties. Meanwhile, Ambassador Alshamsi has reiterated his commitment to improving the visa issuance process and fostering cooperation between the two nations.

Original Source: punchng.com