Nigeria, UAE To Meet Over Visa Challenges For Nigerians

Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will hold talks in the coming days to resolve the difficulties Nigerian citizens face in obtaining UAE visas, particularly tourist visas.

This comes after the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

The meeting takes place amid growing concerns about visa procurement issues affecting both government officials and private citizens.

Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised the two nations’ strong historical ties, as well as Nigeria’s commitment to the bilateral relationship.

She highlighted Nigerians’ significant economic contribution to the UAE, citing an estimated one million visitors in 2015 alone, who spent between $100 million and $150 million on visas and more than $1 billion on shopping and other activities. She emphasised the need for a more balanced economic relationship.

The Minister specifically addressed concerns about recent changes to UAE visa policies, urging clarification for Nigerians who have invested heavily in real estate, conferences, and tourism in the UAE.

She also announced that Nigeria will host a joint commission with the UAE, following one held in the UAE in 2022, to address a variety of bilateral issues, including energy and trade.

She expressed gratitude for recent UAE aid, which included flood relief materials and chickenpox vaccines.

Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her appointment and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to strengthening relations with Nigeria.

He explained that he personally issues visas to government officials, but a designated agent handles applications from private citizens.

He acknowledged the difficulties encountered by Nigerian visa applicants, but emphasised his determination to resolve the issues.

He cited over 700 tourist visas issued since July 2024, claiming that he has received zero visa rejections since arriving in Abuja a year and a half ago.

He promised a meeting soon to address the concerns and strengthen the two countries’ existing partnerships, with the goal of finalising several agreements before the UAE President’s planned visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of 2025.