Nigeria and the UAE plan to meet to discuss visa procurement challenges for Nigerian travelers, following a visit by the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria. Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated the importance of enhancing diplomatic and economic relations, highlighting mutual interests and addressing visa concerns. The joint commission aims to resolve existing MOUs and foster deeper collaboration between the two nations.
Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to engage in discussions to tackle challenges related to visa procurement for Nigerians wishing to travel to the UAE. This decision followed a visit from the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.
Nigerians currently face significant difficulties in acquiring UAE visas, particularly for tourism. During their meeting, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu recognized the longstanding diplomatic ties and strategic partnerships between Nigeria and the UAE, affirming Nigeria’s commitment to this relationship.
Notably, the City of Dubai has become increasingly popular among Nigerians, with about 12,000 Nigerian residents in the UAE, encompassing workers, professionals, and students. In 2015, around one million Nigerians visited the UAE, contributing significantly to the economy, with expenditures between $100 million to $150 million on visas and over $1 billion on shopping, excluding other expenses associated with education, trade, and tourism.
The Minister remarked that the economic relationship between Nigeria and the UAE has been predominantly one-sided, underscoring the need to identify collaborative opportunities that would elevate both nations’ economic interests. She expressed concerns regarding the visa status for Nigerians, noting worries raised even by top government officials.
Furthermore, she announced the intention to host another joint commission between Nigeria and the UAE to address various bilateral issues, such as power and renewable energy. This meeting seeks to resolve outstanding Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and promote significant progress in their cooperation.
Ambassador Alshamsi, while commending the minister on her recent appointment, expressed satisfaction with the achievements of Nigeria-UAE relations over the past five decades. He vowed to tackle the challenges faced by Nigerian visa applicants and optimize the many agreements between the two countries to enhance trade and investment.
He confirmed that under his tenure, there had been no visa rejections and over 700 tourist visas issued from July 2024. He acknowledged that while disagreements may arise, they can be resolved through dialogue, reiterating a commitment to partnership and collaboration moving forward.
The upcoming meeting between Nigeria and the UAE aims to address pressing visa procurement challenges for Nigerians, reflecting both countries’ commitment to strengthening their diplomatic and economic ties. With significant investments and a robust number of visitors from Nigeria to the UAE, enhancing visa processes and encouraging bilateral collaborations are pivotal. This joint initiative offers an opportunity to foster deeper cooperation and address outstanding bilateral issues, showing promise for future relations.
Original Source: dailypost.ng
