Nigeria and UAE to Resolve Visa Issues Amid Strong Diplomatic Ties

Nigeria and the UAE are set to address visa issues for Nigerians, following a meeting between UAE Ambassador Salem Alshamsi and Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. The discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening diplomatic and economic ties, amidst concerns over visa policies. A joint commission will be convened to tackle bilateral issues and enhance cooperation.

The governments of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are preparing to meet imminently to address the challenges faced by Nigerians in acquiring visas for travel to the UAE. This decision stems from a recent courtesy visit by UAE Ambassador Salem Alshamsi to Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Nigerians have reportedly encountered significant difficulties in procuring UAE visas, especially for tourism, as indicated by a statement from the minister’s media aide, Magnus Eze. Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu acknowledged the longstanding diplomatic ties and strategic collaborations between Nigeria and the UAE during the discussions.

According to the Minister, Dubai has emerged as a favored destination for Nigerians, with around 12,000 expatriates residing in the UAE, comprising workers, professionals, and students. A notable statistic reveals that in 2015, nearly one million Nigerians visited the UAE, spending between $100 million and $150 million on visas, along with over $1 billion on tourism and shopping activities.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the apparent disparity in economic relations between the two nations and urged for enhanced collaboration to better align with Nigeria’s economic interests. She raised concerns regarding new visa policies affecting Nigerians and requested clear communication from the UAE regarding any changes.

The minister stated, “There have been numerous concerns about the status of visas for the UAE. Even some top government officials are worried, and they raise their concerns. Is there a new visa policy for UAE?”

In addition, the Minister announced a forthcoming joint commission in Nigeria to address various bilateral issues such as energy collaboration, building on a similar UAE-hosted meeting in 2022. She expressed optimism that this joint commission would facilitate the finalization of pending memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and propel shared economic objectives forward.

Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed, “We hope that with the joint commission, we will be able to handle those MOUs that have not been treated. And we will achieve a lot.”

Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated the Minister on her appointment and underscored the accomplishments witnessed in Nigeria-UAE relations over the past five decades. He reiterated his commitment to addressing the visa challenges faced by Nigerians, announcing that he has issued approximately 700 tourism visas to date.

Ambassador Alshamsi affirmed, “We have increased visa issuance through the agent. I have had zero visa rejections since I came to Nigeria. We want you to see us as part of your team, and we are partners.”

Moreover, he noted that various agreements have been signed, with intentions to establish more prior to the scheduled visit of Nigeria’s President to the UAE in the upcoming second quarter.

In summary, Nigeria and the UAE are making strides toward resolving visa procurement challenges faced by Nigerians travelling to the UAE. The upcoming meeting between Nigerian officials and the UAE ambassador signifies a commitment to improving relations and enhancing economic collaboration. With a joint commission on the horizon, both nations aim to finalize pending agreements and nurture mutual economic interests, signaling a positive future for bilateral relations.

Original Source: punchng.com