All federal agencies that deal with immigration and consular issues have been instructed by President Bola Tinubu to rigorously adhere to Nigeria’s international commitments and to strengthen intergovernmental cooperation in confirming the identities of nationals applying for visas and other consular services overseas. Following recent changes to visa issuance procedures by the US and UAE governments that have affected Nigerian travelers, the directive was issued.
Nigeria’s long-standing diplomatic relations with both countries will be maintained, the Federal Government said in a statement released Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The statement claims that the US government formally announced that the new visa regulations that apply to Nigerian nationals were a result of its review of global visa reciprocity and were motivated by two main issues: the high number of Nigerian visa overstays and the requirement for more reliable access to applicants’ identity records.
The US made it clear that these reviews were conducted on a regular basis and could include adjustments to the number of entries allowed and the duration of visa validity.
President Tinubu responded to the events by ordering all pertinent Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to conform their operations to international standards, particularly when it comes to biometric information, identity verification, and travel documents. He also urged Nigerians living overseas to adhere to the integrity of their travel documents and privileges, as well as the immigration regulations of their host nations
Regarding the United Arab Emirates, the Presidency explained that although there have been reports of the selective and gradual granting of transit visas to Nigerians, no official notification of a policy change has been received from UAE authorities.
The Federal Government assured Nigerians that diplomatic channels were still open and active and praised the UAE for maintaining what it called a “constructive and engaged” stance in spite of the uncertainty.
According to the statement, “The President appreciates the continued cooperation of the Government of the United Arab Emirates, which has remained constructive and engaged with Nigerian authorities. Any genuine concerns raised are being addressed through the appropriate channels, in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration”
” Nigerians can travel, work, and live anywhere in the world with dignity and respect, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to this goal. This aligns with his 4-D Foreign Policy agenda, which stands for Defense, Democracy, Development, and Diaspora”, he said.
Along with strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic ties with the US and the UAE, the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing results that safeguard and advance the interests of Nigerians living overseas.
