The meeting, detailed in a press statement signed by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the need to address the difficulties Nigerians, particularly tourists, have encountered in securing UAE visas.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu acknowledged the strong diplomatic and economic relationship between Nigeria and the UAE, emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing these ties. However, she noted that the trade balance between the two nations remains largely one-sided and called for exploring new areas of collaboration that would benefit Nigeria.
“Dubai has become a preferred destination for many Nigerians,” she stated. “Officially, about 12,000 Nigerians reside in the UAE, including professionals, students, and unskilled workers. In 2015 alone, nearly a million Nigerians visited the UAE, spending between $100 million and $150 million on visas and over $1 billion on shopping and other economic activities.”
The minister also addressed concerns over the visa situation, stating, “There have been numerous concerns about the visa process. Even top government officials have raised questions. Is there a new visa policy for Nigerians? We need clarity to inform our citizens, especially given the significant investments Nigerians have made in property, tourism, and business in the UAE.”
Upcoming Joint Commission Meeting
Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that Nigeria is preparing to host a joint commission meeting, following the last one held in the UAE in 2022. “We want to reciprocate by hosting the joint commission in Nigeria. There are several bilateral issues, including power and renewable energy, that we need to discuss. We also need to finalize outstanding Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs),” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to the UAE government for its recent donations of relief materials for flood victims and vaccines for chickenpox patients in Nigeria.
UAE’s Commitment to Collaboration
Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her appointment and reiterated his commitment to strengthening UAE-Nigeria relations. “I have been in Nigeria for a year and a half, and we have issued visas to both government officials and private applicants. We have increased visa issuance through an appointed agent, and since July 2024, we have issued over 700 tourism visas,” he said.
He assured that discussions would be held to resolve visa-related issues and optimize existing agreements between the two nations. “Sometimes we might disagree on certain issues, but it’s nothing personal. We will work together as partners to resolve them. We have signed three or four agreements and will soon sign another major one before our President’s visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of this year,” he added.
The upcoming talks aim to address visa challenges and further solidify the diplomatic and economic partnership between Nigeria and the UAE, ensuring mutual benefits for both nations.