The United Arab Emirates, UAE, has announced the resumption of visa services for Nigerian citizens wishing to visit the country.

This comes two years after UAE imposed a visa ban on Nigerians and automatically rejected pending visa applications.

A joint announcement by the governments of Nigeria and the UAE entitled, ‘Resumption of Visa Services for Nigerians Travelling to the UAE’, said the visa ban was lifted on March 4, 2024.

The statement said the commencement of visa issuance was a “milestone, reflecting the successful outcome of in-depth talks between the two nations and underscoring, “Our shared commitment to strengthening ties, enhancing cultural exchanges and fostering opportunities for economic and social collaborations.”

To ensure a seamless and efficient visa application experience, the UAE has introduced an enhanced document verification process.
The UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Saleem Saeed Al-Shamsi highlighted the importance of this updated procedure.
All Nigerian applicants for UAE visas are required to first obtain a document verification number. This essential step according to the UAE is to be completed by visiting the dedicated online Document Verification Hub platform https/documentverificationhub.com).

He said, “We are committed to facilitating straightforward and expedited visa applications for Nigerians. The introduction of the Document Verification Number is designed to enhance the integrity of our application process and ensure prompt processing for all applicants.”

After obtaining the Document Verification Number, applicants can proceed with their visa applications through designated travel agents, after which the process will be completed at the Embassy of the UAE in Abuja or Lagos.

The announcement, the UAE said signifies, “our ongoing efforts to enhance the strong ties between the UAE and Nigeria, contributing to the prosperity and well-being of our people.”

Recall that the UAE had in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and behavior of some nationals of other countries in 2022 banned nationals of some 20 African countries including Nigeria from entering its capital city, Dubai.

This was followed by a spat between Nigeria and UAE over the procedure for handling travellers entering Dubai during the pandemic which Nigeria frowned at.

The decision among others forced Emirates to exit Nigeria including claims of millions of dollars belonging to the country trapped in Nigeria.

Upon assumption of office, President Tinubu had directed the resolution of a diplomatic spat with the UAE over the suspension of Nigerian visas in retaliation for Lagos’s retention of funds owed to the Emirates.

Tinubu told the ambassador that both nations should agree on core aviation and immigration issues.
He had said: “We are a family with the UAE. We only live in separate rooms, but we are in the same house.

“We should look at the issues as a family problem and resolve it amicably. As you know, in every family, there are peculiarities. You can have an erring son or daughter, but we must work together. We need to agree on core aviation and immigration issues.”

On Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu announced this on his official X Twitter.

According to the governor, Lagos State is willing to talk about common interests for a better future and to fortify diplomatic connections.

Bliken’s acknowledgement of Lagos’ well-earned position as a center for technology and creativity was warmly welcomed by Sanwo-Olu, who stated that the state is happy to serve as a breeding ground for successful innovations.

“Welcoming Secretary of State of the United States, Mr. Anthony Blinken, to Lagos during his transit at the Presidential Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport was a pleasure,” he wrote. We are always willing to talk about common interests for a better future and to fortify diplomatic ties.

As we stand proud as a fertile ground for inventive achievement, it was encouraging to hear his recent remarks recognizing Lagos’s well-deserved position as a digital and innovation hotspot.

“Our city is still willing to cultivate foreign alliances that advance our shared goals.”

From January 21 to 26, Blinken will be traveling to Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola for a six-day trip.

A statement on the official website of the US government states that the trip’s goals are to strengthen ties with the continent and promote potential business collaborations.

Anthony Blinken, the secretary of state of the United States, has stated that the US will work with Nigeria to combat plastic pollution and produce energy.

According to Blinken, the US mission in Nigeria would establish the marine and blue economy in the country and help solve its problems with the environment and the economy.

Blinken made this statement on Wednesday during the opening of the American Corner in the Lekki neighborhood of Lagos State.

To increase production in 2024, Nigerian CEOs and executives have been asked to utilize their remote labor to the most.

Caroline Lucas, Director of Special Projects at TEXEM UK, a British leadership development organization, made the call on the company’s website, www.texem.co.uk.

Lucas stated that TEXEM will arrange a hybrid curriculum for the leaders in Nigeria and the UK to achieve this goal.

Organizations will be prepared for successful remote leadership in a changing work environment with the help of the curriculum “Effective Leadership in a Distributed World: Pioneering Enduring Legacies.”

To raise morale and maximize performance, the program has a strong emphasis on fostering trust, increasing productivity, and improving leadership communication.

“By optimizing their remote workforce, leaders are inspired to help their organizations gain a competitive edge through this program,” the speaker said.

According to Lucas, the training will assist increase employee retention and save expenses for businesses by providing participants with higher competency in enhancing remote leadership.

She continued by saying that the program, which runs from March 25 to March 27, will strengthen organizational resilience and guarantee sustainability and long-term success.

Professor Roger Delves, Associate Dean Ashridge Executive Education at Hult International Business School, and Professor of Practice in Leadership are among the faculty members scheduled to present papers during the program.

Professor Roger Delves has training from Oxford. At the age of 30, he was appointed to the board and has since assisted hundreds of organizations in increasing their leadership effectiveness.

Paul Griffith, a senior vice president of products at Ashridge Executive Education, Hult International Business School, and another professor of practice, is also anticipated.

Griffith is a business leader with vast expertise in directing cultural change to offer new service capabilities and business innovation. She is in charge of creating and implementing worldwide strategies to generate considerable profit and revenue development.

Ambassador Charles Crawford, the founding partner of The Ambassador Partnership LLP, is a well-known faculty member who specializes in public speaking, communication, and negotiation.

Crawford, who has 28 years of experience in the UK diplomatic service, much of it spent in the former communist central and eastern Europe, is a trained lawyer and mediator.