Nigeria Engages US, UAE over New Visa Policies, Reaffirms Commitment to Diplomatic Ties
The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to strengthen its diplomatic relations with the United States and the United Arab Emirates amid recent changes in visa issuance policies affecting Nigerian citizens.
The reassurances come in response to visa restrictions recently introduced by both countries. While the United States has formally communicated the reasons for its revised visa policy, the Nigerian government stated that it has yet to receive an official notice from the UAE regarding any similar changes.
According to a statement from the State House signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the U.S. government attributed its policy shift to two main concerns: the high rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to immigration records. The policy, the U.S. noted, aligns with its global visa reciprocity framework, which is periodically reviewed to adjust entry permissions and visa validity durations.
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President Tinubu, in reaction to the development, has directed all relevant federal agencies to ensure Nigeria fully complies with its international obligations. He also called for enhanced inter-governmental cooperation, particularly in the authentication of identities of Nigerians seeking consular services abroad.
“The President calls on all Nigerians to respect the immigration regulations of their host countries and to uphold the integrity of the permits and privileges granted to them,” the statement read.
On the issue of UAE visa restrictions, the Nigerian government noted that although no formal communication has been received from Emirati authorities regarding new conditions for issuing transit visas to Nigerian citizens, visa processing appears to be continuing in an “orderly and gradual” manner.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to the UAE for what he described as its continued constructive engagement with Nigerian officials. He assured that any genuine concerns raised by the UAE are being handled through diplomatic channels based on mutual respect and collaboration.
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerians abroad, Tinubu pledged to continue pursuing dignified and respectful mobility for Nigerian citizens globally. He emphasized that the government’s efforts are aligned with the Diaspora component of his 4-D Foreign Policy agenda.
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s desire to deepen its valued bilateral ties with both the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
By PRNigeria
