The Nigerian government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to hold crucial discussions to address the persistent visa challenges faced by Nigerians traveling to the Gulf country. This decision follows a high-level diplomatic meeting between the 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.
For years, many Nigerians seeking to visit the UAE, particularly Dubai, have encountered difficulties obtaining visas, especially for tourism. The upcoming talks are expected to provide clarity on the UAE’s visa policy and explore solutions to ensure smoother travel arrangements for Nigerian visitors.
During the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the long-standing diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the UAE, noting that Nigeria has remained committed to fostering a strong partnership with the Gulf nation. She stressed that Dubai has become a major destination for Nigerians, with thousands traveling there annually for business, education, tourism, and medical purposes.
The Economic Impact of Nigerian Travelers in the UAE
The minister revealed that officially, about 12,000 Nigerians reside in the UAE, including professionals, students, and unskilled workers. She recalled that in 2015 alone, nearly a million Nigerians visited the UAE, spending between $100 million and $150 million on visa applications. Beyond that, Nigerian visitors contributed over $1 billion in various economic activities, including shopping, hospitality, education, and real estate investments.
She pointed out that despite Nigeria’s significant economic contributions, the relationship between both countries remains largely one-sided, with Nigeria primarily playing the role of a consumer. She stressed the need to create new avenues of cooperation that would benefit both nations equally.
“There have been numerous concerns regarding UAE visa issues. Even top government officials have expressed their worries. Nigerians have invested massively in property in the UAE, hosted international conferences, and contributed to the growth of the tourism sector. The question remains: is there a new visa policy? Nigerians need clarity so they can plan their trips accordingly,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated.
Renewed Commitment to Strengthening Diplomatic Ties
As part of efforts to deepen relations, Nigeria and the UAE are planning to revive their joint commission, a diplomatic platform for discussing key bilateral matters. The last commission meeting was held in 2022 in the UAE, and Nigeria now intends to host the next session.
The minister explained that the joint commission would focus on several important areas, including energy, trade, and investment. She noted that many Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the two countries remain unimplemented and emphasized the importance of addressing these agreements during the upcoming meetings.
“We are looking forward to hosting the joint commission in Nigeria. There are numerous issues, including power and renewable energy, that require urgent deliberation. Through this meeting, we hope to finalize outstanding agreements and create new opportunities for collaboration,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also expressed appreciation to the UAE government for its humanitarian support to Nigeria. She acknowledged the recent donation of relief materials to assist victims of flooding and the supply of vaccines for chickenpox patients, which have helped strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
UAE Ambassador Reaffirms Commitment to Stronger Relations
In response, Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her recent appointment and commended Nigeria for its role in fostering diplomatic cooperation over the past five decades. He reassured Nigerian authorities that the UAE remains committed to resolving visa-related concerns and enhancing bilateral ties.
Alshamsi disclosed that since assuming office in Abuja nearly two years ago, he has facilitated visa issuance for government officials and private individuals. He explained that visas for private travelers are processed through an appointed agent, and efforts are being made to streamline the process.
According to him, since July 2024, the UAE has issued more than 700 tourism visas to Nigerians. He emphasized that the country has not deliberately denied visas to Nigerians, adding that any disagreements between the two nations should not be seen as personal.
“There is nothing personal in these matters. Sometimes, we may have differing views on certain issues, but that does not mean we cannot find common ground. Nigeria and the UAE are partners, and we must continue to work together,” Alshamsi stated.
He also revealed that both countries have signed three or four agreements, with plans to sign a major new deal soon. The UAE is particularly keen on finalizing these agreements before its president’s scheduled visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of the year.
“We have already signed several agreements, and we will be signing another significant agreement soon. It is important that we conclude these negotiations before our president visits Nigeria. Additionally, we will hold a meeting to resolve the pending visa issues,” the ambassador assured.
Background on the Visa Restrictions
The visa challenges faced by Nigerians seeking to travel to the UAE have been a major source of concern in recent years. In 2022, reports emerged that the UAE had stopped issuing visas to Nigerians and some other African nationals due to alleged violations of immigration policies by certain travelers. While the UAE did not officially confirm these claims, many Nigerians continued to face hurdles in securing visas.
The situation escalated further in 2023 when UAE authorities imposed additional restrictions, citing security concerns. Several Nigerians living in the UAE also faced deportation, further straining diplomatic ties between the two countries.
However, in late 2023, diplomatic efforts led to some improvements, with the UAE resuming visa issuance to a limited extent. Despite this progress, many Nigerians still find it difficult to obtain visas, prompting the latest round of discussions aimed at resolving these concerns once and for all.
The Significance of the Upcoming Talks
The planned talks between Nigeria and the UAE come at a crucial time when both nations are seeking to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties. Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, and the UAE is one of the fastest-growing business hubs in the world. Improved relations between the two countries would benefit not only travelers but also businesses and investors looking to explore opportunities in both markets.
For Nigerian businesses, easier access to UAE visas would mean better opportunities to expand their operations and strengthen international trade partnerships. Similarly, the UAE stands to gain from increased Nigerian investments, tourism, and business activities in its economy.
As Nigeria prepares to host the joint commission, expectations are high that both governments will find lasting solutions to the visa issue and pave the way for a more balanced and mutually beneficial relationship.
With the commitment from both sides to resolving these concerns, Nigerians can look forward to a future where travel to the UAE becomes easier and more accessible, fostering stronger cultural, economic, and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
