Visa Storm: Tinubu moves to rescue diplomatic ties with US, UAE

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed its commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic ties with the United States and the United Arab Emirates following recent changes to visa issuance policies affecting Nigerian citizens.

According to a statement issued by Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the Federal Government is actively engaging through relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to address the concerns raised by both countries.

The U.S. government, in its official communication, cited two main reasons for its new visa rules: a high rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for better access to identity records.

The move, it said, is part of its routine global visa reciprocity review and affects factors such as the number of entries allowed and visa validity periods.

Onanuga said in response, President Bola Tinubu has directed all relevant federal agencies to ensure Nigeria meets its international obligations, especially in improving identity verification processes for Nigerians seeking consular services abroad.

He also urged Nigerians to respect the immigration laws of their host countries and to maintain the integrity of their travel permits.

On the situation with the UAE, Onanuga said the Federal Government noted that while there has been no official notification of a new visa policy, the issuance of transit visas to Nigerians appeared to be resuming in a gradual and orderly fashion.

He added that President Tinubu welcomed the continued cooperation of the UAE government, noting its constructive engagement with Nigerian authorities, assuring citizens that any genuine issues raised would be resolved through diplomatic channels.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing the rights and dignity of Nigerians abroad under the 4-D foreign policy framework, which includes a strong focus on diaspora engagement.