Commending the countries for their resilience and restraint, the President noted that Nigeria would always stand for peace and stability.

President Tinubu spoke at the State House in Abuja when he received Letters of Credence from seven Ambassadors and two High Commissioners, including those of Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

“Let me first of all congratulate all of you and use this opportunity to say that the Federal Republic of Nigeria expresses its full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in the face of the recent attacks and say that we will always strive for peace and stability across the world.

“The world needs tranquility, peace and love. We share that solidarity with all of you in that region,’’ he said.

The president received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the State of Qatar, Yousef Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hail; Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Yousef Bin Mohammed Albalawi; Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic, Wissam Kalakeche; Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan, Mohammed Abdelaal Haroun and High Commissioner of the Republic of  Namibia,  Walda Natangwe Ndevashiya.

Other envoys who presented their Letters of Credence were: High Commissioner of Rwanda, Moses Rugema; Ambassador of the Republic of Somalia, Mohamed Osman Mohamed; Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, Nicolas Perazzo Naon; and Ambassador of the Republic of Congo, Moyongo Dieudonne.

President Tinubu told the envoys that Nigeria would continue to work together with international partners to pursue peace within the African sub-region and the globe.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the enduring partnership between Nigeria and your various countries, as I receive your Letters of Credence and the Letters of Recall of your predecessors.

“I am confident that your appointment as Principal Envoys of your respective countries in Nigeria is a testament to your years of service to your country and the strength of your character. I therefore request that you convey my warmest fraternal greetings and best wishes to your respective Heads of State and Government.

“Nigeria values the bonds of friendship we share. We remain fully committed to deepening these ties, for the mutual prosperity and progress of our peoples,’’ he added.

President Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s foreign policy would guide its active engagements with the global community for mutual benefits.

“Your Excellencies, you are arriving in Nigeria at a pivotal period in our national trajectory. My administration is undertaking bold and necessary economic reforms designed to reposition Nigeria as a globally competitive hub for investment, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.

“As you commence your tour of duty, I invite you to see Nigeria not just as Africa’s most populous nation, but as a dynamic partner open for strategic and mutually beneficial business collaboration.

“As you engage with our government and our people, you will observe that our strategic foreign policy actively guides our interactions on the global stage. Nigeria seeks to collaborate with your nations to harness the boundless energy of our youthful demography, drive infrastructural and economic development, maximise the mutual potential of our diaspora populations and champion democratic governance.

“Furthermore, Nigeria remains acutely aware of its responsibilities within our immediate neighbourhood and the broader African continent. We are resolute in our commitment to the principles and protocols of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The defence of constitutional order, the pursuit of regional economic integration, and the stabilisation of the Sahel region are priorities that we cannot achieve in isolation. We look forward to robust partnership and cooperation with your respective countries in addressing these transnational security and development challenges,’’ the president stated.

President Tinubu said global challenges can be tackled with the collective will and cooperation of nations and international institutions.

“The global community today faces a complex web of overlapping crises—from the changing international order, climate change and energy transitions to counter-terrorism and the need for a more equitable global financial architecture. Nigeria stands ready to work with your governments bilaterally and in multilateral forums to advocate for a fairer, more secure world order.

“To achieve these shared objectives, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all relevant agencies of the Federal Government have been directed to extend to you their full cooperation.

“Your Excellencies, as you embark on your diplomatic missions in Nigeria, you have my personal assurance and the full cooperation of my administration. Our institutions are ready to work with you to ensure the resounding success of your tenure,’’ the President assured the envoys.

President Tinubu told the ambassadors to travel and explore the country beyond Abuja, and experience the rich cultural diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, and unparalleled warmth and friendship of Nigerians.

On behalf of the envoys, the Ambassador of Qatar thanked the president for taking the time to receive them at the Presidential Villa.

He assured the president of excellent relations with Qatar and pledged that all the envoys would do their best to improve relations with Nigeria after their tour.

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The announcement was made after a virtual meeting where member countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, reviewed global market conditions and outlook, according to a statement on the OPEC website.

“The eight participating countries decided to resume the unwinding of the 1.65 million barrels per day of additional voluntary adjustments announced in April 2023 and agreed on a production adjustment of 206,000 barrels per day,” the statement said.

It added that the global economic outlook was steady, and current market fundamentals were healthy, which was reflected in the low oil inventories.

The 1.65 million bpd in voluntary cuts could be phased back in either partially or fully, depending on evolving market conditions and would be implemented gradually, OPEC said.

It said that eight countries were scheduled to meet on April 5.

The April output increase is expected to end the OPEC planned production increases for the first quarter of 2026.

The voluntary production cuts of 1.65 million bpd were first announced in April 2023 and were later extended through the end of 2026.

The OPEC+ announcement was made following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which raised concerns about supply disruptions in the Middle East, especially around the Strait of Hormuz.

Market analysis expected oil prices to soar on Monday.

Source: Xinhua/NAN

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FAAN management released the advisory in a statement to journalists on Saturday in Lagos.

“As a result of these developments, flights scheduled to Middle-East destinations from Nigerian airports, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, have been cancelled or delayed.

“Passengers affected by these disruptions are strongly advised to contact their respective airlines directly for up-to-date information on flight status, rebooking options and further guidance.

“FAAN continues to monitor the situation in collaboration with relevant aviation authorities and airline operators and will provide updates as necessary,” it stated.

The authority expressed regret over the inconvenience and thanked travellers for their understanding and cooperation.

The General Civil Aviation Authority earlier announced a temporary partial closure of the United Arab Emirates airspace.

Regional reports said the move was a precautionary step to safeguard the UAE’s territory amid challenging security developments.

The exceptional measure was taken to ensure the safety of flights, passengers and aircrew across the UAE.

Source: NAN

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria’s BUA Group and UAE-based AD Ports Group and MAIR Group in Abu Dhabi.

He described the MoU as a significant industrial and trade breakthrough arising from renewed Nigeria–UAE engagement under his administration.

The president said the agreement represented a tangible dividend of strengthened diplomatic ties and expanding economic cooperation following his recent state visits and high-level engagements with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates, which prioritised trade, investment, infrastructure, and food security.

The MoU explores collaboration in sugar refining, agro-industrial development, and integrated global logistics solutions, with sugar refining and advanced logistics infrastructure to be developed in the UAE.

The initiative is expected to enhance value addition, strengthen supply chain resilience, and deepen structured trade flows between West Africa and the Gulf region.

President Tinubu noted that the partnership demonstrated growing international confidence in Nigeria’s reform agenda and reinforced the country’s commitment to export-led industrialisation.

He further stated that the agreement reflected the strength and maturity of Nigerian enterprises capable of competing globally and forming strategic alliances with leading international partners.

“Strategic diplomacy must translate into measurable economic gains,” President Tinubu said. “This partnership reflects the renewed momentum in Nigeria–UAE relations and our determination to position Nigeria as a competitive industrial and trading nation, while empowering Nigerian businesses to operate confidently on the global stage.”

The president also observed that BUA Group’s established industrial base in Nigeria, including its integrated food processing operations and substantial investments in port infrastructure upgrades, provided a strong foundation for expanded international trade integration.

“I must also commend the Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, who continues to believe and invest in various sectors of the Nigerian economy, and has shown the world that Nigerian companies are capable of playing on the global stage.”

President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening bilateral economic partnerships that attract investment, expand exports, strengthen Nigerian enterprise, and deliver sustainable prosperity for the country.

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The president noted that creativity and innovation would give the youths a competitive advantage in a fast-changing world, primarily driven by digital and emerging technologies.

The president gave the charge on Tuesday during the unveiling of the Nigerian Youth Academy, NIYA GIGS, Platform and Grant Award Ceremony organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development under the theme: “One Youth, Two Skills.”

The programme is designed to support 300 young Nigerians by providing grants to 200 from the formal sector and 100 from the informal sector of the economy.

The president, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, emphasised that youths were central to his administration’s developmental agenda, restating the commitment to ensuring the younger generation continues the task of nation-building, promoting innovation, skills acquisition, and talent nurturing.

“Build boldly, innovate courageously, scale fearlessly. You are the generation that will continue the task of building this nation. I am particularly happy to hear about the potential partnership with the UAE. I therefore urge you to continue to deploy your youthful ideas, creativity, and energy to drive the growth and development of this country.”

President Tinubu affirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, stating that the government would continue to prioritise efforts to create and expand job opportunities.

“From the early days of this administration, I have made a firm decision; the Nigerian youth will not stand on the margins of our national development. This commitment is not political; it is personal. Throughout our nation’s journey, every major leap—from innovation to civic renewal—has been driven by the boundless energy, intelligence, and boldness of young Nigerians.

“Alongside these reforms, we have expanded support programmes across technology, agriculture, manufacturing, the creative industry, and green energy skills to ensure that young innovators have multiple pathways to succeed.

“Everything we do is part of a broader ecosystem of empowerment that this administration has intentionally designed,” the president said.

President Tinubu informed the gathering that his administration had carried out extensive regulatory reforms to remove bottlenecks for small businesses and streamlined the tax regime to ease compliance for young entrepreneurs.

He highlighted government-provided incentives for the digital and creative economy, as well as the expansion of access to consumer credit and enterprise financing for millions of young Nigerians.

“All these interventions are shaped by one goal: to build an economy where the ambition of a young Nigerian is never limited by bureaucracy or lack of opportunity.”

Reaffirming his commitment to advancing digital skills, innovation, and enterprise, the president declared that Nigeria could not afford to leave its youth behind.

“As we build the next generation of Nigerian founders, we are also opening a new frontier of opportunity through business outsourcing and the gig economy. With the official launch of NIYA GIGS, we are introducing a national platform for freelancing and digital services that connects young Nigerians to paid work locally and globally.

“Nigeria cannot afford to stand aside; our young people have the talent, the digital fluency, and creativity to become global service providers, exporting Nigerian services worldwide.

“Through NIYA Academy, NIYA Startup, NIYA Gigs, and NIYA Jobs, we are linking skills to markets, ideas to capital, and young people to real prosperity… Note that the grant you are getting today is not a prize; it is a vote of confidence from your nation,” the president emphasised.

Earlier, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the launch as a deliberate effort by the ministry to ensure that the brilliance, creativity, and resourcefulness of Nigerian youths in both the formal and informal sectors were recognised, celebrated, and integrated into national development, affirming that NIYA had become an ecosystem.

He commended the collaborative efforts of several public and private institutions towards its realisation.

“We are here, for the first time in the history of this country, to build the informal sector and ensure that we provide a tool and a living way for them. Over 200 youth-led startups will receive One Million Naira each to start up their businesses.

“And for the first time, we are extending this directly to support young people in the informal sector, whereby over one hundred of them will receive N500,000 each to support their businesses.”

Olawande stressed the platform’s role in global competition: “The NIYA GIG will open up the doors for all Nigerian youths, not just to beg for the crumbs, but to learn and compete at the global scale and to make sure that they make income for themselves.”

In a goodwill message, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said the launch is a testament to the nation’s collective resolve to place young Nigerians at the centre of the development agenda.

“The Startup Grant Award Ceremony and the official flag-off of the NIYA GIGS mark an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to nurture youth-led businesses and to accelerate skill development across the country. These initiatives are practical and forward-looking. They are deliberately designed to stimulate entrepreneurship, strengthen digital and vocational competencies, as well as deepen the creativity and resilience that have always defined the Nigerian people,” the minister stated.

Members of the Federal Executive Council and senior government officials attended the launch.

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Introduction: When the Plane Takes Off, the System Fails

A familiar story plays out almost every month in parts of Nigeria and across Africa. A prominent politician, a pastor’s wife, or a wealthy business owner is rushed onto a private jet, en route to India, the UK, or Dubai. The diagnosis: a treatable heart condition, kidney failure, cancer surgery, or a complex orthopedic issue. What’s missing at home? The facilities. The specialists. The trust.

Medical tourism is now so normalized that Nigerians spent over $1.6 billion on outbound health travel in 2022, according to the Nigerian Medical Association. Much of that is for routine or mid-level surgeries that should be available locally. And for every successful airlift, there are countless others who die in silence because they simply can’t afford it.

But what if the story could change? What if the Nigerian and broader African diaspora — doctors, entrepreneurs, investors, and everyday remittance senders — began directing their wealth, skills, and influence toward building local surgical hubs?

This is not charity. It’s strategic. It’s survival. It’s nation-building.

The Medical Tourism Drain: What We’re Losing

Let’s be clear — medical tourism is not just about money leaving the country. It represents a vote of no confidence in our systems. And it comes at great social, emotional, and even diplomatic cost.

Each year, Nigeria alone loses hundreds of millions of dollars to countries like India, Turkey, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. These are funds that could have been circulated within local economies — paying for hospital equipment, training more surgeons, funding health startups, or maintaining biomedical infrastructure.

Behind the glamour of outbound treatment lies a darker truth — 95% of Nigerians can’t afford to leave the country for healthcare. They face long waiting lines, misdiagnoses, expired equipment, or sometimes — simply no help at all. The brain drain of qualified surgeons and specialists to the West compounds this. When healthcare systems fail, it’s not just about statistics — it’s about funerals that didn’t have to happen.

Why the Diaspora Must Intervene Now

The African diaspora — particularly Nigerians abroad — have shown incredible power in transforming lives through remittances. In 2023, diaspora remittances to Nigeria alone hit $20.1 billion, according to the World Bank. But what if just 1% of that was pooled annually to create sustainable, specialized surgical centers across underserved regions?

Here’s why the diaspora must lead this charge:

You Understand the Gap

Diaspora medical professionals, especially those trained abroad, know the difference between an equipped surgical suite and a glorified consultation room. Many of you left home because the tools to operate or innovate didn’t exist. You are best positioned to identify where the gaps are — and how to fix them.

You Can Mobilize Capital Faster than Governments

Let’s be honest — waiting for federal health ministries to fix this problem is a losing game. Diaspora-led consortiums, health cooperatives, or even mission-focused investment vehicles can raise funds, cut red tape, and deploy infrastructure more effectively.

You’re Already Doing It, Quietly

Many diaspora doctors are already sponsoring medical outreaches, sending equipment, or flying in for free surgeries during the holidays. These efforts, though noble, are often fragmented and unsustainable. It’s time to scale them up, formalize them, and make them permanent.

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Local Surgical Hubs: What They Could Look Like

The concept of a surgical hub isn’t complicated. It’s a focused, specialized center designed to handle high-demand surgical cases with quality, speed, and safety. Think of a cardiac hub in Enugu, an orthopedic center in Jos, or a kidney transplant hub in Ibadan — backed by diaspora talent, training, and funding.

These hubs can operate under a public-private-partnership (PPP) model, or even as fully private ventures with subsidized access for underserved patients. Diaspora medical networks in the UK, US, and Canada can partner with local teaching hospitals to create twinning programmes — sending equipment, protocols, and personnel on a rotational basis.

Critically, these hubs can also become centers of medical education and innovation, training the next generation of surgeons, nurses, and technicians who won’t need to leave the country to gain world-class experience.

The India Example: From Receivers to Providers

India, once heavily reliant on outbound medical travel, is now a global destination for advanced surgeries. How did they do it?

– Strategic investment in medical training institutions

– Government incentives for private hospital groups

– Diaspora doctors returning home to build their own hospitals

– Heavy focus on cost efficiency and specialized care

Nigeria and other African countries don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We need to localize the model. And the diaspora holds the blueprint.

The next time someone asks, “Where’s the best place in West Africa for heart surgery?” — wouldn’t it be powerful if the answer was right here at home, funded and led by the diaspora?

Real-World Models Already Emerging

The good news is that some models are already taking root:

– DUCHESS International Hospital in Lagos, backed by local and diaspora investors, is offering top-tier surgical services and gradually building trust in private care.

– R.E.A.C.H. (Returnees Establishing Accessible Care in Health) is a budding diaspora initiative exploring how to fund maternal and surgical health hubs across West Africa.

– Diaspora Angels Network (DAN) has shown interest in investing in healthcare-focused startups and facilities — not just tech — in East and West Africa.

What’s missing? Scale. Coordination. Storytelling. If more diaspora actors knew about these efforts — and saw a clear entry point — the movement could accelerate.

What Can You Do From Abroad?

You don’t need to be a surgeon to join the mission. Diaspora professionals can plug in in various ways:

– Form or join diaspora health investment groups

– Support a surgical hub fund in your local state or community

– Mentor young Nigerian doctors or surgical techs via online platforms

– Sponsor medical research and surgical simulation training labs

– Build or co-invest in a diagnostic center with clear patient safety goals

Think of it this way: if 1,000 diaspora professionals pooled just $1,000 each annually, that’s a million-dollar fund. Enough to upgrade an entire surgical department or equip a rural facility.

Conclusion: Let’s End the Next Airlift Before It Begins

Every airlift to India or Dubai is a story of something we failed to build at home. But with diaspora muscle, networks, and vision, we can flip the script. We can go from exporting patients to training global surgeons right at home. From relying on charity to designing resilient, self-sustaining hubs of medical excellence.

The challenge is urgent. But the opportunity is massive.

The next time someone asks, “Where’s the best place in West Africa for heart surgery?” — wouldn’t it be powerful if the answer was right here at home, funded and led by the diaspora?

Let’s not wait for the next airlift. Let’s build the runway for something better.

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A 20-man contingent which comprise of 14 players and six officials left Lagos enroute Uganda for the tournament scheduled from Thursday to July 27.

Nigeria will compete alongside hosts Uganda, Kenya, Namibia and United Arab Emirates.

The tournament will serve as preparation ahead of the IC.

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The gesture was part of activities marking the first anniversary of the group also known as the Egbe Agba Elemu.

It was a week of impactful engagements, cultural reflection, and community bonding.

This milestone event brought members together for the first time since the group’s inauguration, reinforcing their mission of leadership, cultural preservation, and social responsibility.

Themed “Mirroring Who We Want to Be – Beyond One Finger Salute,” the event featured highlights from UAE’s successful year, notably the Community Medical Outreach, COMO, held in Lagos, Nigeria, where over 600 beneficiaries received free medical testing and post-care follow-ups.

The initiative was hailed as a major humanitarian success by both members and observers.

“This is more than a celebration – it is a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to cultural excellence, service, and global unity,” said Elder Basorun Fayth Deleola Daramola, President of UAE. “From Nigeria to the United States, we remain steadfast in using our collective strength to serve, to give, and to uplift.”

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The members extended their outreach to the Orlando Fisher House, a facility that provides housing and support for military and veteran families.

UAE donated essential household supplies, light food items, toiletries, and coffee.

George Denby Jr., Manager of the Fisher House, expressed heartfelt gratitude: “The visit by UAE was incredibly moving. Their generosity, cultural dignity, and sincere desire to give back were a blessing to the families we serve. It’s rare to see such thoughtful commitment from an international group.”

In a significant ceremonial moment, UAE welcomed several distinguished new inductees, including Elder Kenneth Sorinmade, Elder (Prince) Adebowale Oyebamiji, and Elder (Dr). Edward Alo.

Of exceptional note was the induction of Royal Elder – Oba Olasoji Oladele, the Sooko Adimula Obalufon, whose presence brought royal prestige to the occasion.

Reflecting on the AGM’s theme, member Olori Modupe Ojajuni-Rahman shared: “This gathering reminds us that community service is not only godly and divine, it is also a vehicle for unity in diversity and the bedrock of peaceful coexistence.”

To foster camaraderie and refreshment, UAE members also visited some of Orlando’s most iconic destinations, including Magic Kingdom, Aquatica, and SeaWorld, blending relaxation with fellowship.

The Universal Archaivar Elders continues to grow in strength and purpose, championing cultural pride, intercontinental cooperation, and community-centered values.

With a successful first year concluded, the road ahead promises even greater impact and legacy, the group said.

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The sector also generated over ₦38 billion in revenue in 2024, up from just ₦6 billion the previous year, despite receiving only 18% of its ₦29 billion budgeted allocation.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, revealed this during a feature interview for an upcoming State House documentary marking President Tinubu’s second anniversary.

Alake said the sector had witnessed an increase in investor interest buoyed by the administration’s mining sector reforms.

He listed the $600 million lithium processing plant near the Kaduna-Niger border, to be commissioned this quarter, the $200 million lithium refinery on the outskirts of Abuja, nearing completion, and two additional processing plants in Nasarawa, slated for commissioning before Q3 2025.

“These investments follow the administration’s insistence that no miner gets a license without a clear local processing plant. The days of exporting raw minerals from pit to port are over.

“When we resumed, the entire sector generated ₦6 billion annually. By the end of 2024, we hit ₦38 billion. And this was with just 18% of our ₦29 billion budgetary allocation released. It shows how effective our policy framework has been,” Dr. Alake stated.

According to the minister, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, two regulatory agencies—the Mining Cadastral Office, MCO, and the Mines Inspectorate—have already recorded ₦6.9 billion and ₦7 billion in revenue, respectively.

The minister projected this year to be a record-breaking one for the sector, adding that the current budget allocated ₦1 trillion for mineral exploration, targeted at generating internationally certified geological data.

“Exploration is key. When we came in, Nigeria had spent just $2 million on exploration, compared to $40 million in Sierra Leone, $148 million in Côte d’Ivoire, and over $300 million in South Africa. No serious investor will touch your sector without credible data,” he said.

“We are now focused on turning our mineral wealth into domestic economic value—jobs, technology, and manufacturing,” he said.

As part of its seven-point agenda, the minister said he had taken aggressive steps to curb illegal mining and formalise artisanal activity.

He noted that over 300 illegal miners were arrested last year, 150 prosecutions are ongoing, and nine convictions have been secured, including foreign nationals.

“We adopted both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies. While enforcement has yielded results through the Mining Marshals, we’re also empowering locals by formalising them into cooperatives, making them eligible for finance and revenue sharing,” he said.

He added that over 250 mining cooperatives have been established nationwide to absorb informal miners into the formal economy.

The minister said Nigeria now chairs the newly formed African Mineral Strategy Group, a continental bloc focused on ensuring local value addition and fairer mineral trade deals across Africa.

“This was a direct result of Nigeria’s position at the 2024 Future Minerals Conference in Riyadh. We’re leading Africa in saying: no more raw material exports without domestic beneficiation.”

Reflecting on the rising investor confidence, Alake noted that top global players, including UK, US, Saudi Arabia, and UAE officials, have expressed interest in Nigeria’s lithium and other critical minerals.

“The former British Deputy Prime Minister personally invited me to Downing Street to discuss their interest in Nigerian lithium,” Alake said.

“The U.S. is also looking to diversify from China and sees Nigeria as a viable alternative.”

He noted that with new revenue streams, foreign direct investment, tightened regulation, and a clear path toward industrialisation, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector is now a pillar of the Tinubu administration’s economic diversification plan.

“Nigeria has not had it this good in the solid minerals sector. We’re restoring confidence, building data, enforcing the law, and returning value to Nigerians from their resources.

“The mining cadastral office, the agency responsible for licensing and processing applications, received over 10,000 applications from local and foreign investors this quarter alone.

“That shows you that this sector is vibrant. The vitality that we’ve introduced into this sector has never been done before the advent of President Tinubu’s administration,” he said.

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The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known in a statement following the visit of Ambassador Salem Alshamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that the decision was made during a meeting with Alshamsi.

She acknowledged that Nigerians had faced difficulties in obtaining UAE visas, especially tourism visas.

The challenge, according to her, persisted in spite of the warm diplomatic relations and strategic partnerships between the two countries.

“Nigeria has remained committed to the relationship. The city of Dubai in the UAE has become a popular destination for many Nigerians.

“Officially, about 12,000 Nigerians live in the UAE, ranging from unskilled workers to professionals and students across various institutions,” she said.

She noted that in 2015, nearly a million Nigerians visited the UAE, particularly Dubai, spending between 100 million dollars to 150 million dollars on visas alone, and more than 1 billion dollars on shopping, school fees, tourism, and other activities.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the need for a more balanced economic relationship between both countries.

The minister further mentioned concerns regarding the current visa status for the UAE, noting that even some top Nigerian government officials had raised their concerns.

She also pointed out that a joint commission between the two countries was due after the one hosted by the UAE in 2022.

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Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation to the UAE government for their recent donation of relief materials to flood victims in Nigeria, as well as vaccines for chickenpox patients to support Nigeria’s health institutions.

“There is a need to communicate the new visa policy, if any, to Nigerians.

“We want to reciprocate by hosting the joint commission in Nigeria, where we will address various bilateral issues, including power, renewable energy, and more,” she said.

Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her appointment and lauded the progress made in the 50-year Nigeria-UAE relationship.

He acknowledged that visas for both government officials and private individuals had been issued over the past year and a half, with the process handled by an appointed agent.

He assured that the UAE was committed to resolving the visa challenges faced by Nigerians and emphasised that both countries would work together to foster stronger economic partnerships.

“We have issued more than 700 tourism visas since July 2024, and I have had zero visa rejections since I assumed office,” Alshamsi stated.

He also promised to continue signing agreements to further strengthen bilateral ties, with a major agreement expected to be signed ahead of the Nigerian president’s visit to the UAE in the second quarter of 2025.

Source: NAN

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