Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to hold talks in the coming days to address the persistent challenges Nigerians face in obtaining visas.
The talks aims to resolve concerns over visa restrictions and strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between both nations.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu and UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi reached this decision when he paid a courtesy visit in her office concerning difficulties Nigerians are facing in obtaining UAE visas especially tourism visas.
In a statement, the state minister acknowledged that both countries are enjoying cordial relationships through several agreements signed to foster economic cooperation.
“Nigeria and the UAE ( United Arab Emirates) share very warm diplomatic relations and strategic partnerships exist between the two countries. It was a pleasure to welcome H.E Salem Saeed Alshamsi, the charismatic Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Nigeria and his delegation.
In 2015 alone, almost a million Nigerians visited the UAE, especially Dubai,; they spent between $100m- $150m 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.
It is therefore clear that our economic relations are predominantly one-sided, and there is need to explore areas of collaboration that will enhance our economic interests. Officially, 12,000 Nigerians live in the UAE, ranging from unskilled workers to professionals and students in various institutions across the country.” The statement reads
Bianca Ojukwu also thanked the UAE for the large consignment of relief materials it recently donated to support flood victims across Nigeria as well as vaccines for chicken pox patients to support Nigeria’s health institutions
The state minister disclosed that both countries expect to sign more agreements in the second quarter of this year.
Credit:@Ojukwu _Bianca ( X)
