Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are scheduled to hold high-level discussions in the coming days to address challenges faced by Nigerians in obtaining visas to the UAE.
This decision follows a courtesy visit by the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu acknowledged the longstanding diplomatic and strategic partnership between Nigeria and the UAE. She highlighted that Dubai has become a popular destination for many Nigerians, with an estimated 12,000 Nigerians currently residing in the UAE, including unskilled workers, professionals, and students.
The minister revealed that in 2015 alone, nearly one million Nigerians visited the UAE, primarily Dubai, spending between $100 million and $150 million on visas and over $1 billion on shopping and other expenses, excluding costs related to trade, education, and tourism.
She emphasized the need to address the imbalance in economic relations between the two countries, stating: “There have been numerous concerns about visa restrictions for Nigerians. Even senior government officials have raised these issues. We need clarity on whether there is a new visa policy for the UAE so that we can properly inform our citizens. Nigerians have made substantial investments in UAE properties and have contributed significantly to the country’s tourism and conference-hosting sectors.”
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu also noted that another joint commission between the two countries is due, following the last session hosted by the UAE in 2022. She proposed that Nigeria host the next session, which will focus on critical bilateral issues such as energy, infrastructure, and economic cooperation. She expressed hope that the joint commission would help resolve outstanding memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and advance mutual interests.
She also thanked the UAE for its recent humanitarian support, including relief materials for flood victims and vaccines for chickenpox patients, which have strengthened Nigeria’s healthcare response.
In his remarks, Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her appointment and expressed satisfaction with the progress made in Nigeria-UAE relations over the past 50 years. He clarified that visa applications for private individuals are handled by an appointed agent and assured that efforts are underway to resolve visa-related challenges. “Since I assumed office in Abuja over a year and a half ago, we have streamlined visa issuance. Since July 2024, we have issued over 700 tourism visas, with no recorded visa rejections. While there may occasionally be disagreements, these are not personal and can be resolved through dialogue. We see Nigeria as a key partner,” Alshamsi said.
He further disclosed that both countries have signed several agreements and are preparing to finalize a major bilateral agreement ahead of the UAE President’s planned visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of the year. “We are committed to strengthening trade and investment ties and ensuring that our partnership continues to thrive,” the envoy concluded.
