Nigeria, UAE Dialogue on Visa Restrictions
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to engage in high-level discussions to address challenges faced by Nigerians in obtaining UAE visas, particularly for tourism.
According to a statement by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the decision was reached during a meeting between UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, and Minister of State, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Abuja.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized Nigeria’s long-standing diplomatic ties with the UAE and the need to strengthen bilateral relations. She highlighted that Dubai remains a top destination for Nigerians, with approximately 12,000 Nigerians residing in the UAE, including professionals, students, and unskilled workers.
In 2015 alone, nearly a million Nigerians visited the UAE, spending between $100 million and $150 million on visas and over $1 billion on tourism, shopping, and other economic activities,” she noted.
She expressed concerns over visa restrictions and urged for greater collaboration to protect Nigeria’s economic interests. The minister also announced plans to revive the Nigeria-UAE Joint Commission to advance cooperation in key sectors such as trade, power, and renewable energy.
Ambassador Alshamsi reassured that his office has been actively processing visas, stating that over 700 tourist visas had been issued since July 2024 without rejections. He affirmed the UAE’s commitment to resolving visa challenges and enhancing trade and investment relations.
He further disclosed that both nations were finalizing a new bilateral agreement ahead of the UAE President’s planned visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of the year.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties and addressing concerns affecting Nigerian travelers and residents in the UAE.
