Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are expected to meet in the coming days to finalise all outstanding visa issues, a statement by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s media aide Magnus Eze has hinted.

According to the statement, the decision was reached during a meeting between UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi and Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Nigerians face difficulties in obtaining UAE visas, especially tourism visas.

Acknowledging the warm diplomatic relations and strategic partnerships between Nigeria and the UAE, has had with the United Arab Emirates, the minister noted that Nigeria has remained faithful in the relationship.

 Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that the City of Dubai in the UAE has become a destination of choice to many Nigerians.

Officially, 12,000 Nigerians made up of unskilled workers, professionals and students in various institutions live in the UAE.

According to her, in 2015 alone, almost a million Nigerians visited the UAE, especially Dubai, they spent between $100 million and $150 million on visas alone, and over $1 billion, mostly on shopping sprees, exclusive of amounts spent on traders’ goods, payment of school fees, tourism and other related economic activities.

The minister said t was clear that the economic relations between both countries were predominantly one-sided, hence there was need to explore areas of collaboration that will enhance “our economic interests.”

Mrs. Odumegwu-Ojukwu said: “There have been numerous concerns about the status of visa for the UAE. Even some top government officials are worried and they raise the concerns. Is there a new visa policy for UAE? You need to let Nigerians know. We need to know what to tell our citizenry. Nigerians have invested massively in property in UAE, hosting conferences and tourism.”

The minister also disclosed that another joint commission between the two countries was due after the one hosted by the UAE in 2022.

“We want to reciprocate by hosting the joint commission in Nigeria. There are several bilateral issues such as power, renewable energy and the rest of the things that we need to deliberate on.

“We hope that with the joint commission, we will be able to handle those MOUs that have not been treated. And we will achieve a lot.”

The minister thanked the UAE for the large consignment of relief materials it recently donated to support flood victims across the country, and vaccines for chicken pox patients to support Nigeria’s health institutions.

Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her recent appointment as Minister of State even as he expressed delight over the achievements recorded in the Nigeria-UAE relations in over 50 years.

The Ambassador said that he had for over one and half years he assumed duties in Abuja issued visas to government officials and private persons, explaining that an appointed agent handled visas for private applicants.

He promised to address the difficulties faced by Nigerian visa-seekers as well as optimising the various MOUs signed by both countries to foster different economic partnerships and the promotion of trade and investment.

The envoy said: “We have increased visa issuance through the agent. I have zero visa rejection since I came to Nigeria. Since I arrived a year and half ago, I make sure that I issue visas. We have issued over 700 tourism visas from July 2024.

“Sometimes, we might disagree on some issues, but there is nothing personal. But we could still resolve and agree. We want you to see us as part of your team, we are partners.

“We have signed three or four agreements and would soon sign another major agreement. We must try and sign more agreements before our President’s visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of this year.

“But we would hold a meeting to resolve these issues,” the envoy assured.