Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to hold discussions in the coming days to resolve ongoing visa application issues faced by Nigerians seeking to travel to the UAE.
This decision was reached following a courtesy visit by the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Alshamsi, to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The minister’s media aide, Magnus Eze, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Background on Nigeria-UAE Visa Issues
Nigerians have experienced challenges obtaining UAE visas, especially for tourism. In 2022, the UAE imposed a visa ban on Nigeria due to diplomatic disputes. Additionally, Emirates Airline suspended flights to Nigeria after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) failed to remit $85 million in revenue.
However, in July 2024, the Federal Government announced that the visa restrictions had been lifted following an agreement between both countries. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed that Nigerian passport holders could now travel to the UAE without restrictions.
Concerns Over Visa Policies
During the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu acknowledged the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries and highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the relationship. She raised concerns about uncertainty surrounding UAE visa policies, stating:
“Is there a new visa policy for the UAE? Nigerians need clarity. Many have invested heavily in property, tourism, and conferences in the UAE, and they deserve to know the updated requirements.”
Approximately 12,000 Nigerians reside in the UAE, including professionals, students, and unskilled workers. In 2015, almost one million Nigerians visited the UAE, spending between $100 million and $150 million on visas and over $1 billion on tourism and shopping.
Upcoming Joint Commission and Economic Collaboration
Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed plans to host a Joint Commission meeting in Nigeria, following the last session held by the UAE in 2022. The commission will focus on bilateral issues, including power, renewable energy, and economic cooperation.
“We aim to finalise pending MoUs and expand areas of collaboration. This commission will strengthen our relationship and address long-standing issues,” she said.
She also appreciated the UAE’s recent donations of flood relief materials and chickenpox vaccines, which have supported Nigeria’s health sector.
UAE Ambassador’s Assurance on Visa Issuance
Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her appointment and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to resolving the visa challenges. He emphasized that his office had approved numerous visas for both government officials and private individuals.
“Since I arrived in Nigeria a year and a half ago, I have issued over 700 tourism visas. We’ve increased visa issuance through agents, and there have been zero rejections under my watch,” Alshamsi said.
He also disclosed that several agreements had already been signed, with more planned before UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s scheduled visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of 2025.
“We are committed to strengthening our partnership with Nigeria. While disagreements may arise, we believe in dialogue and collaboration to resolve issues amicably,” he added.
The upcoming meeting aims to clarify visa policies, streamline the application process, and enhance bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
