Nigeria and UAE Collaborate to Address Visa Challenges for Nigerians
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with the UAE to resolve visa issues for Nigerians, particularly for tourism. Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu acknowledged the challenges despite strong diplomatic ties, noting a significant number of Nigerians visit and live in the UAE. Both nations are committed to enhancing their economic relationship and addressing visa concerns through upcoming joint commissions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria has confirmed that the Federal Government is collaborating with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to address visa procurement issues for Nigerians. This announcement follows the visit of Ambassador Salem Alshamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, which highlighted the substantial difficulties faced by Nigerians in securing UAE visas, particularly for tourism purposes, despite the countries’ strong diplomatic relations.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, noted the popularity of Dubai as a travel destination for Nigerians, with approximately 12,000 Nigerians residing in the UAE across various sectors. In 2015, nearly one million Nigerians traveled to the UAE, contributing between 100 million to 150 million dollars on visas, with additional expenditures exceeding 1 billion dollars for shopping, school fees, and tourism activities.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the necessity for a balanced economic partnership, indicating ongoing concerns about the current visa status raised even by top Nigerian officials. She mentioned an upcoming joint commission to be hosted in Nigeria, focusing on key bilateral issues, including energy and economic relations.
Ambassador Alshamsi acknowledged the progress made in the Nigeria-UAE relationship over the past six decades, stressing that over 700 tourism visas have been issued since July 2024 without rejections. He expressed the UAE’s commitment to resolving existing visa challenges and underscored plans to enhance bilateral agreements, with significant developments anticipated during the Nigerian president’s upcoming visit in 2025.
The interaction between the Nigerian and UAE governments marks a significant step towards resolving the visa issues that have hindered travel for Nigerians. With both countries committed to enhancing their diplomatic and economic partnerships, the upcoming joint commission and new visa policies may foster improved relations and address existing concerns related to travel and commerce. The proactive measures taken reflect the importance of bilateral cooperation in overcoming obstacles and sustaining growth.
Original Source: nannews.ng
