Nigeria and the UAE will meet to address visa procurement difficulties faced by Nigerians. The discussions follow a visit from UAE Ambassador Salem Saeed Alshamsi to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Emphasis is placed on strengthening economic relations and clarifying visa policies, with a joint commission planned to explore bilateral collaboration.
In the imminent future, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are scheduled to convene discussions aimed at addressing the challenges surrounding visa applications for Nigerians wishing to travel to the UAE. This decision was made following a courtesy visit from UAE Ambassador Salem Saeed Alshamsi to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at her office in Abuja.
Currently, Nigerian applicants face significant hurdles in securing UAE visas, particularly for tourism. Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the long-standing diplomatic and strategic ties between Nigeria and the UAE, highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to fostering these relations. She noted that Dubai has become a favored destination among Nigerians, with approximately 12,000 Nigerians residing in the UAE in various capacities.
In 2015, nearly one million Nigerians visited the UAE, contributing between $100 million to $150 million solely on visas, coupled with over $1 billion spent mainly on shopping and other economic activities. The minister remarked on the need to enhance bilateral economic relations due to their currently lopsided nature.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu also raised concerns regarding visa policies, indicating a demand for clarity from the UAE government as it affects Nigerian citizens. “There have been numerous concerns about the status of visa for the UAE… We need to know what to tell our citizenry,” she said. In addition, she proposed hosting another joint commission in Nigeria to discuss various bilateral matters, including renewable energy.
During the meeting, the minister expressed gratitude to the UAE for its recent humanitarian aid donations, including medical supplies for flood victims and vaccines for chicken pox. Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated the minister on her new appointment and reaffirmed his commitment to facilitating smoother visa issuance processes for Nigerians. He revealed no rejections for government officials and remarked on the successful issuance of over 700 tourism visas since his tenure began.
The ambassador reiterated the collaborative spirit of the partnership, assuring that disagreements could be resolved amicably. He expressed hopes for the finalization of additional agreements before a scheduled presidential visit from the UAE to Nigeria in the near future.
The ongoing discussions between Nigeria and the UAE represent a significant step towards resolving visa procurement issues for Nigerians. Both countries are committed to enhancing their economic ties and addressing concerns regarding visa policies. The proposed joint commission reflects a strong desire for collaboration in various sectors, promising potential benefits for both nations in the near future.
Original Source: dailypost.ng
