Nigeria and the UAE will meet to resolve visa issues impacting Nigerian travelers. The collaboration was initiated during a meeting between UAE Ambassador Salem Saeed Alshamsi and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Visa challenges have been noted, and economic relations between the two countries are expected to improve with further joint discussions and agreements.
In the near future, representatives from Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will convene to address visa procurement issues affecting Nigerians wishing to travel to the UAE. This meeting was confirmed during a visit by UAE Ambassador Salem Saeed Alshamsi to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.
Nigerian citizens have faced challenges when seeking UAE visas, particularly for tourism. Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu recognized the strong diplomatic relationship between the two nations, highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to this partnership. The minister noted that Dubai has become a preferred travel destination for many Nigerians, with approximately 12,000 Nigerians residing in the UAE, including workers, professionals, and students.
In 2015, nearly a million Nigerians traveled to the UAE, spending between $100 million to $150 million solely on visas. Overall, their expenditures, excluding costs for traders’ goods, school fees, and tourism, amounted to over $1 billion. The minister remarked that the economic relationship appears to benefit the UAE and emphasized the need for enhanced collaborations to improve Nigeria’s economic interests.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu addressed concerns over the current visa status for Nigerians, asking for clarification on any new visa policies. She mentioned considerable Nigerian investments in UAE properties and the importance of tourism. Moreover, she announced plans for another joint commission meeting, aiming to reciprocate UAE’s prior hosting. They intend to discuss critical bilateral matters, such as renewable energy and infrastructure.
The minister also expressed gratitude towards the UAE for recent donations of relief materials and vaccines for Nigeria’s health sector. Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her recent appointment and conveyed enthusiasm about the progress made in Nigeria-UAE relations over the years.
He assured that he had maintained zero visa rejections since assuming his duties and expressed his commitment to alleviating the concerns faced by Nigerian applicants. The ambassador also emphasized the ongoing efforts to optimize various memoranda of understanding (MOUs) aimed at promoting trade and investment between the two countries, with plans to sign additional agreements leading up to the visit of the UAE President to Nigeria.
In summary, both Nigeria and the UAE are working collaboratively to address the pressing issues surrounding visa accessibility for Nigerians. The upcoming joint commission meeting signifies a commitment to resolving these challenges and enhancing bilateral relations in various sectors. The emphasis on mutual economic interests and cooperation reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts, particularly in light of significant contributions from the UAE to Nigeria’s health and economic sectors.
Original Source: dailypost.ng
