Nigeria and the UAE plan to convene to discuss visa procurement issues affecting Nigerians. The meeting was prompted by UAE Ambassador Salem Alshamsi’s visit to Nigerian Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu. Despite difficulties in obtaining UAE visas, a strong economic relationship exists, and both countries aim to enhance collaboration through a joint commission and new agreements.
In the coming days, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will hold discussions to address concerns regarding visa procurement by Nigerians aspiring to travel to the UAE. This decision followed an official visit from 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.
Nigerians currently encounter significant challenges in obtaining UAE visas, particularly for tourism purposes. The Minister acknowledged the strong diplomatic ties and strategic partnerships that Nigeria has maintained with the UAE, emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to this relationship. The UAE, particularly Dubai, has become a favored destination for many Nigerians, with approximately 12,000 Nigerians residing in the UAE, including workers, professionals, and students.
Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted that in 2015 alone, nearly one million Nigerians visited the UAE, spending between $100 million and $150 million on visas, alongside over $1 billion on shopping and other economic activities. This suggests a largely one-sided economic relationship, underscoring the necessity for enhanced collaboration between the two nations to promote mutual economic interests.
The Minister expressed concerns regarding visa status and clarity on any potential new visa policies affecting Nigerian citizens. She noted that prominent government officials had also raised such concerns. “We need to know what to tell our citizenry. Nigerians have invested massively in property in UAE, hosting conferences and tourism,” she articulated.
Furthermore, the Minister announced the upcoming joint commission between Nigeria and the UAE, intended to address bilateral issues such as energy and trade. She expressed the hope that this meeting would lead to the resolution of pending Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and yield beneficial outcomes for both countries.
Additionally, the Minister conveyed gratitude to the UAE for their recent donation of relief materials to assist flood victims in Nigeria and vaccines for health support. Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated the Minister on her appointment and lauded the advancements in Nigeria-UAE relations over the past 50 years. He affirmed his commitment to facilitating visa issuance for Nigerian applicants and enhancing economic partnerships through existing agreements.
The Ambassador reported that he had issued no visa rejections since commencing duties in Nigeria, reiterating his commitment to resolving issues faced by Nigerian visa seekers and fostering further agreements before the anticipated presidential visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of the year.
The discussions between Nigeria and the UAE focus on addressing visa procurement challenges and enhancing economic collaboration. With significant investments by Nigerians in the UAE and a notable history of bilateral relations, both nations aim to resolve outstanding issues regarding visas and foster closer ties through joint initiatives and agreements. The commitment to improving the visa issuance process reflects the dedication of both parties in strengthening their partnership.
Original Source: dailypost.ng
