….Urges Nigerians to respect host countries policies
President Bola Tinubu has directed all federal government agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations and to strengthen inter-governmental cooperation in authenticating the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad.
The new visa policy introduced by the American government had generated tension between Nigeria and the United States.
The directives, according Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Spokesman, came in the wake of recent visa policies introduced by the United States and the government of the United Arab Emirates UAE.
Onanuga said the Federal Government of Nigeria reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to maintaining and strengthening the longstanding and cordial diplomatic relations with the Governments of the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates.
The Presidential Spokesman stated that the recent changes in visa issuance policies affecting Nigerian citizens by these two countries have received the attention of the Federal government.
“Relevant Nigerian Ministries, Departments and Agencies are actively engaging to ensure that the concerns raised are addressed through appropriate and constructive channels,” he said.
The statement revealed that the “United States Government has officially communicated that its decision was based on two principal factors: the current rate of visa overstays by Nigerian nationals and the need for reliable access to their records.
“It further explained that the visa policy adjustment is part of its global visa reciprocity process, which is routinely reviewed and subject to change, including the number of permitted entries and validity durations,” he added.
President Tinubu directed all federal agencies to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s international obligations and to strengthen inter-governmental cooperation in authenticating the identities of individuals seeking consular services abroad.
The President also called 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 under the laws of those jurisdictions
Also speaking on the new conditions for issuing UAE transit visas to Nigerian nationals, the Federal Government noted that ” It has not received any formal communication from the UAE authorities regarding a revised visa policy. However, it is observed that visa issuance is currently progressing in a gradual and orderly manner.
“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.”
The President assured all “Nigerians that his administration will continue to pursue the best possible outcomes for citizens abroad, ensuring that Nigerians can travel, work, and live with dignity and respect in any part of the world, in line with the Tinubu administration’s 4-D Foreign Policy agenda and its Diaspora plan”.
He also reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to deepening Nigeria’s valued bilateral relations with the Governments of the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
