Nigeria and the UAE are set to meet to resolve visa procurement issues for Nigerians traveling to the UAE. The discussions were initiated by UAE Ambassador Salem Alshamsi’s visit to Nigerian Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. The partnership aims to enhance economic collaboration and address the difficulties faced in obtaining UAE visas.
In the upcoming days, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will convene to address challenges concerning visa applications for Nigerians wishing to travel to the UAE. This initiative follows a meeting between UAE Ambassador Salem Saeed Alshamsi and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja. Currently, many Nigerians face obstacles when applying for tourism visas to the UAE.
Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu recognized the strong diplomatic ties and cooperative relationships cultivated between Nigeria and the UAE. She emphasized the significant number of Nigerians residing in the UAE, which approximates 12,000, spanning various backgrounds such as students, professionals, and unskilled workers. Notably, in 2015, around a million Nigerians visited the UAE, contributing significantly to the local economy through expenditure on tourism and education.
The minister pointed out the disparity in economic relations between the two nations, prompting calls for enhanced collaboration to better align their economic interests. She remarked on the widespread apprehension regarding the current visa status and the need for clearer communication on any changes in UAE’s visa policies that might affect Nigerians.
Furthermore, Odumegwu-Ojukwu announced plans for another joint commission meeting, following the previous one hosted by the UAE in 2022, focusing on various bilateral issues including energy and infrastructure. She expressed optimism that the joint commission would facilitate the discussion and execution of several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) that have yet to be addressed.
She also expressed gratitude towards the UAE for its generous donations of relief materials for flood victims in Nigeria, as well as medical support, such as chicken pox vaccines. Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated the minister on her recent appointment and shared his satisfaction with the progress made in Nigeria-UAE relations over the past five decades.
The Ambassador committed to improving the visa application process for Nigerians and ensured that visa denials would be addressed responsibly. He indicated his administration’s effort in increasing visa issuances and emphasized the partnership between the two nations to foster economic and trade investment opportunities. He also stated, “I have zero visa rejection since I came to Nigeria. We have issued over 700 tourism visas since July 2024.”
Ambassador Alshamsi affirmed plans to sign additional agreements prior to the upcoming presidential visit from the UAE to Nigeria, signifying a robust partnership between the countries despite any negotiating challenges that may arise. He reiterated, “We want you to see us as part of your team, we are partners.”
The upcoming meeting between Nigeria and the UAE aims to tackle visa procurement issues for Nigerians. The strong diplomatic relations indicate a desire for better economic collaboration between both nations. Through joint commissions and agreement signings, both countries look to enhance trade, investment, and resolve the intricacies surrounding visa applications. A commitment to a partnership approach underscores the intent to address present challenges and prosper mutually.
Original Source: dailypost.ng
