₦airaland Forum

Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry Silent as UAE Blocks Visas, Demands Nigerians Show $60,000 Bank History for Entry

Thousands of Nigerians are reportedly being barred from securing transit or tourist visas to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to an unverified yet widely enforced requirement: maintaining a minimum monthly bank balance of $10,000 for six consecutive months, totalling $60,000. Yet, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has remained unresponsive, offering no public clarification, guidance, or diplomatic intervention.

While UAE authorities have denied implementing such financial requirements, pointing instead to standard criteria such as a passport, a photo, travel insurance, and a return ticket, travel agents and visa processing intermediaries continue to demand them.

These practices appear to be selectively applied. There is no indication that other West African nationals, including Ghanaians or Côte d’Ivoire, face the same restrictions, raising serious concerns that Nigerians are being deliberately singled out and financially profiled.

Many Nigerians have called it a “constructive travel ban,” effectively shutting out Nigerians under the guise of bureaucratic procedure. Despite growing public outrage, online outcry, and mounting pressure, Nigeria’s Foreign Ministry has not issued a statement, engaged UAE counterparts, or offered support to affected citizens.

This silence has drawn heavy criticism from citizens who view the Ministry’s inaction as a dereliction of duty. In a time when diplomatic representation is urgently needed, the absence of a strong response has left Nigerians vulnerable, frustrated, and excluded from legitimate international travel.

Without official intervention, many applicants are being turned away or driven into the hands of third-party agents and unofficial networks that charge even higher fees. The lack of transparency and protection has created a climate of uncertainty, making even routine travel inaccessible for average Nigerians.

As the situation continues, many argue that the Ministry must do more than remain a passive observer. It must act decisively to challenge these discriminatory barriers and advocate for equal treatment of Nigerian citizens abroad.

funshint:
Igbos destroyed Nigeria's reputation in UAE. I won't be surprised if the same thing happens in Malaysia or Thailand very soon.

Those ones can now properly identify Igbos. They can do just about anything just to brag in their village.

swaggerjack:
Reno Omokri: I Challenge Tinubu To Prove If He Was Not A Drug Lord In Chicago


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA7PoGtSvKo&feature=youtu.be

funshint:
Igbos destroyed Nigeria's reputation in UAE. I won't be surprised if the same thing happens in Malaysia or Thailand very soon. Those ones can now properly identify Igbos. They can do just about anything just to brag in their village.

funshint:
Igbos destroyed Nigeria's reputation in UAE. I won't be surprised if the same thing happens in Malaysia or Thailand very soon. Those ones can now properly identify Igbos. They can do just about anything just to brag in their village.

debopeola:
Hmmmm. They already know the situation of our economy.

rspy:
yeah, blame everyone else typical mindset of a nigerian

maddman:
At what point do we have to collectively realise that we've made a very bad choice electing his excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu?

nlfpmod:
Sep 11, 2023
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, have finalized a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers.

Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.

More insights

As negotiated between the two Heads of State, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government.

In recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals today presented by President Tinubu to his counterpart, an agreed framework has been established, which will involve several billions of U.S. dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defence, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

Additionally, President Tinubu is pleased to have successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two Governments, which will be announced in detail in the coming weeks.

The President wishes to commend the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his unalloyed friendship and his determined effort to join hands with him to fully normalize and reset to excellence, the standard of relations between the two important countries.

https://nairametrics.com/2023/09/11/tinubu-secures-landmark-deal-with-uae-across-sectors-visa-ban-on-nigerians-lifted/

planetx:
If you have $60k why would anyone want to go to UAE in the first place.