The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining and deepening diplomatic relations with the Governments of the United States of America (US) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), despite recent adjustments to visa issuance policies affecting Nigerian citizens.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), in a statement on Tuesday, said relevant ministries, departments, and agencies are actively engaging with both countries to address the issues through constructive dialogue.
According to official communication from the US Government, its recent policy changes were driven by two key factors: the high rate of visa overstays by Nigerians and the need for more reliable access to applicants’ records.
The US clarified that the adjustments form part of its routine global visa reciprocity review, which considers entry limits and visa validity durations.
In light of these developments, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed all federal agencies to uphold Nigeria’s international obligations and enhance inter-governmental cooperation in verifying the identities of Nigerians seeking consular services abroad.
He also urged citizens to comply with immigration regulations in their host countries and safeguard the integrity of their permits and travel privileges.
On the UAE’s evolving visa issuance policies, the Federal Government noted that while no formal communication has been received regarding a new transit visa policy, visa processing for Nigerians is progressing steadily.
The Tinubu administration acknowledged the UAE’s ongoing cooperation and constructive engagement with Nigerian authorities.
President Tinubu assured Nigerians that his government remains focused on securing dignified and fair treatment for its citizens abroad, in line with the administration’s 4-D Foreign Policy and diaspora engagement strategies.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its strategic bilateral ties with both the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
