Nigeria and the UAE plan to meet to resolve visa issues affecting Nigerians wishing to travel to the UAE. The discussions arose after a visit by UAE Ambassador Salem Alshamsi to Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, where concerns regarding visa procurement were addressed. The two countries aim to strengthen their diplomatic ties and pursue mutual economic interests.
The governments of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates have announced plans to meet shortly to address the visa procurement challenges faced by Nigerians aiming to travel to the UAE. This decision follows a visit by UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Alshamsi, to the Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It has been noted that Nigerians have encountered difficulties in obtaining UAE visas, particularly for tourism purposes.
During the meeting, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu recognized the strong diplomatic ties and strategic partnership between Nigeria and the UAE. She confirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fostering this relationship, which has developed over several years. The Minister highlighted Dubai’s appeal as a travel destination for Nigerians, with about 12,000 nationals residing in the UAE, spanning roles from unskilled labor to professional and student demographics.
In a significant statistic, it was revealed that in 2015, approximately one million Nigerians visited the UAE, spending an estimated $100 million to $150 million solely on visas and over $1 billion on shopping, tourism, and interconnected economic activities. Furthermore, the Minister pointed out that economic interactions between the two nations seemed disproportionate and advocated for increased collaboration for Nigeria’s economic benefit.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu raised queries regarding the current status of UAE visas amidst several concerns voiced by Nigerians, including officials about the implementation of new visa policies. She 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? You need to let Nigerians know.”
Additionally, she mentioned the forthcoming hosting of a joint commission in Nigeria, building upon a previous meeting held by the UAE in 2022. This upcoming dialogue is expected to cover various bilateral matters, including power and renewable energy collaborations. The Minister expressed optimism that the joint commission would facilitate the finalization of outstanding memoranda of understanding, thus advancing mutual economic objectives.
Expressing gratitude for the UAE’s recent contribution of relief materials to Nigeria’s flood victims and vaccines for chickenpox patients, Odumegwu-Ojukwu reinforced the support to the nation’s healthcare services. In his remarks, Ambassador Alshamsi commended the Minister on her recent appointment and expressed his satisfaction with the progression of Nigeria-UAE relations over the past half-century.
The Ambassador committed to addressing the visa issues confronting Nigerian applicants, mentioning his issuance of over 700 tourism visas since his arrival in Nigeria. Alshamsi reaffirmed his dedication to enhancing the visa processing framework and anticipated the signing of several agreements before the upcoming visit of the Nigerian President to the UAE in the second quarter of the year. He stated, “We have signed three or four agreements and would soon sign another major agreement. We must try and sign more agreements before our President’s visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of this year.”
In conclusion, the upcoming meeting between Nigeria and the UAE aims to resolve existing visa-related issues for Nigerians traveling to the UAE. Both nations recognize the importance of strengthening their diplomatic relations and economic collaboration, particularly in areas such as tourism and renewable energy. By addressing concerns surrounding visa policies and promoting mutual agreements, they aim to foster a more substantial partnership, benefiting citizens of both countries.
Original Source: punchng.com
