Nigeria, UAE Move To Resolve Visa Denial Concerns, Strengthen Bilateral Ties
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
For many Nigerians, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has long been a preferred destination for tourism, business, and education.
However, in recent years, visa restrictions have made travel to the Gulf nation increasingly difficult.
In a bid to address these challenges, Nigeria and the UAE are set to hold crucial talks to resolve visa procurement issues and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The decision was reached when the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.
During their meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the significant economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries, noting that millions of Nigerians visit Dubai yearly, spending billions of dollars on tourism, shopping, and other activities.
“There have been numerous concerns about visa status for the UAE, even among top government officials. Nigerians have invested massively in the UAE, yet many face challenges in securing visas,” the minister stated, emphasising the need for transparency and resolution.
Ambassador Alshamsi assured that his office had increased visa issuance, revealing that over 700 tourism visas had been granted since July 2024.
He maintained that there was no personal or political bias against Nigerian applicants and reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the matter through dialogue.
As part of efforts to strengthen relations, both countries are also preparing for a Joint Commission meeting to discuss key areas of cooperation, including power, renewable energy, and trade.
The UAE has also recently supported Nigeria with humanitarian aid, donating relief materials for flood victims and vaccines for chickenpox patients.
With a scheduled visit by the UAE President to Nigeria later this year, expectations are high that these discussions will lead to tangible solutions, easing travel restrictions and fostering greater economic collaboration between the two nations.
