Breaking: Nigeria, UAE Set For High-Level Talks To Resolve Visa Crisis

Breaking: Nigeria, UAE Set For High-Level Talks To Resolve Visa Crisis

Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to hold high-level discussions to address ongoing visa challenges faced by Nigerians.

According to Ireporter, this decision was made following a meeting between UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.……READ MORE 

A statement issued by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the development on Sunday.

Nigerians, especially business travelers and tourists, have faced persistent visa restrictions, raising diplomatic concerns. Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized the deep economic and diplomatic ties between both nations but noted that trade relations remain largely one-sided.

“Dubai is a top destination for Nigerians, with over 12,000 officially residing there, 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 shopping and other activities,” she said.

She further called for clarity on any new visa policies affecting Nigerians, stating, “We need to inform our citizens about any changes in visa rules as many Nigerians have made significant investments in property, tourism, and business in the UAE.”

The minister announced plans to host a Nigeria-UAE Joint Commission Meeting to discuss bilateral issues, including trade, power, and renewable energy. This follows the last session, which was held in the UAE in 2022.

“We want to reciprocate by hosting the joint commission in Nigeria to finalize outstanding agreements, including several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs),” she said.

In response, Ambassador Alshamsi assured Nigeria of the UAE’s commitment to resolving visa challenges and strengthening diplomatic relations.

“I have been in Nigeria for over a year and a half, and we have issued visas to both government officials and private applicants. Since July 2024, we have issued over 700 tourism visas through an appointed agent,” he stated.

He also pledged to address outstanding visa concerns and optimize existing agreements.

“Sometimes, we may have disagreements, but these are not personal. We are working as partners to resolve them. We have signed multiple agreements and will soon sign another major one before our President’s visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of this year,” Alshamsi added.

The talks signal a positive step toward easing visa restrictions and improving Nigeria-UAE relations.