Nigeria, UAE to Meet Over Visa Denials, Hood Joint Commission

By:Michael Mike

Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will in the coming days meet to resolve issues relating to visa procurement by Nigerians seeking to travel to the Middle East country.

The decision was reached when the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Alshamsi, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in her office at the Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja.

Nigerians is currently experience difficulties in obtaining UAE visas especially tourism visas.

The minister acknowledged the warm diplomatic relations and strategic partnerships that Nigeria has had with the United Arab Emirates, noting that Nigeria has remained faithful in their relationship.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that the City of Dubai in the UAE has become a destination of choice to many Nigerians with Nigerians living in the UAE officially put at about 12,000. They range from unskilled workers to professionals and students in various institutions across the country.

According to minister, in 2015 alone, almost a million Nigerians visited the UAE, especially Dubai, they spent between $100m-$150m on visas alone, and over $1billion, mostly on shopping sprees, exclusive of amounts spent on traders’ goods, payment of school fees, tourism and other related economic activities.

She said from the foregoing, it was clear that the economic relations between both countries were predominantly one-sided, hence there was need to explore areas of collaboration that will enhance “our economic interests.”

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said: “There have been numerous concerns about the status of visa for the UAE. Even some top government officials are worried and they raise the concerns. Is there a new visa policy for UAE? You need to let Nigerians know. We need to know what to tell our citizenry. Nigerians have invested massively in property in UAE, hosting conferences and tourism.”

She disclosed that another joint commission between the two countries was due after the one hosted by the UAE in 2022.

She said: “We want to reciprocate by hosting the joint commission in Nigeria. There are several bilateral issues such as power, renewable energy and the rest things that we need to deliberate.

“We hope that with the joint commission, we will be able to handle those MOUs that have not been treated. And we will achieve a lot.”

She thanked the UAE for the large consignment of relief materials it recently donated to support flood victims across the country, and vaccines for chicken pox patients to support Nigeria’s health institutions.

In his remarks, Ambassador Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her recent appointment as Minister of State even as he expressed delight over the achievements recorded in the Nigeria-UAE relations in over 50 years.

The Ambassador disclosed that he had for over one and half years assumed duties in Abuja, issued visas to government officials and private persons, explaining that an appointed agent handled visas for private applicants.

He gave his commitment to addressing the difficulties faced by Nigerian visa seekers as well as optimizing the various MOUs signed by both countries to foster different economic partnerships and the promotion of trade and investment.

He said: “We have increased visa issuance through the agent. I have zero visa rejection since I came to Nigeria. Since I arrived a year and half ago, I make sure that I issue visas. We have issued over 700 tourism visas from July 2024.

“Sometimes, we might disagree on some issues, but there is nothing personal. But we could still resolve and agree. We want you to see us as part of your team, we are partners.

“We have signed three or four agreements and would soon sign another major agreement. We must try and sign more agreements before our President’s visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of this year.

“But we would hold a meeting to resolve these issues,” the envoy assured.

Nigeria, UAE to Meet Over Visa Denials, Hood Joint Commission

Invest in Her, Invest in Progress: Wildan Care Foundation Marks International Women’s Day 2025

By: Zariyatu Abubakar

Wildan Care Foundation joins the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 under the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.”” This year’s theme underscores a fundamental truth—when we empower women and girls through education, economic opportunities, and leadership, we unlock the full potential of societies and drive sustainable development.

As an organization dedicated to advancing the education and empowerment of women and girls, Wildan Care Foundation reaffirms its commitment to breaking barriers that hinder gender equality. Across communities, women continue to face challenges, including limited access to quality education, economic marginalization, and systemic discrimination. It is imperative that governments, businesses, and civil society work together to dismantle these obstacles and create an inclusive future where every woman and girl can thrive.

In line with this year’s IWD theme, Wildan Care Foundation is actively investing in programs that support women’s education, vocational training, and mentorship. We believe that educating a girl today means building a stronger nation tomorrow. As such, we call on stakeholders to:

Prioritize education by ensuring that girls have access to quality learning opportunities, especially in underserved communities.
Support women’s economic empowerment by providing access to capital, mentorship, and market opportunities for female entrepreneurs.
End gender-based violence through stronger policies, awareness campaigns, and community engagement.
Encourage women’s leadership in decision-making spaces, from politics to corporate boardrooms.
On this International Women’s Day, let us move beyond words and take concrete actions to invest in women. Progress is not possible without women at the center of development. Together, we can build a world where every girl has the chance to learn, lead, and succeed.

Invest in Her, Invest in Progress: Wildan Care Foundation Marks International Women’s Day 2025

ActionAid Nigeria Says “Speedy Suspension” of Natasha Questionable

… Calls for Independent Inquiry into Sexual Harassment Allegation Against Akpabio

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria has said the speed at which Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate over the ongoing saga with the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio raises concern about application of due process.

AAN, in a statement personally signed by its Country Representative in Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu said while the group acknowledges the authority of the Senate Committee on Ethics to discipline its members for breaches of legislative rules, as it was done in the case of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing her misconduct and refusal to comply with the chamber’s seating arrangement during the plenary session on 20th February 2025, however expressed reservations on the dispatch of punishment.

Mamedu said “the speed with which the Senate’s Ethics Committee investigated, ruled on, and implemented her suspension raises concerns about due process. Within 24 hours, she was subjected to an inquiry, found guilty, and suspended for six months—losing her salary, allowances, security details, and access to her office. Given the weight of this decision, should such a process not have undergone thorough deliberation in line with the principles of fair hearing and justice enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution?

“Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right to a fair hearing, which includes adequate time for defense and a transparent adjudication process. The Nigerian judiciary has also ruled that legislative suspensions should not exceed 14 days, reinforcing the principle that elect representatives cannot be arbitrarily denied their mandate for extended periods. How then does this six-month suspension align with legal precedent?”

Mamedu added that: “Beyond this, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has resubmitted a petition concerning allegations of sexual harassment. ActionAid Nigeria expects the same urgency applied to her suspension to be used in reviewing this case. The Ethics Committee has demonstrated its ability to act swiftly—will this efficiency be extended to matters of justice and accountability, or does urgency only apply to punitive measures?

“ActionAid Nigeria demands an immediate, independent, and transparent inquiry into the allegations of misconduct raised by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), as an independent body mandated to safeguard human rights and promote justice, should be actively involved in cases like this to ensure impartiality. They have a duty to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation or gender, receives fair treatment under the law. The involvement of an independent body in reviewing legislative disciplinary measures would strengthen public confidence in the system and ensure that punitive actions are not used as tools for political suppression. Given the questions surrounding the fairness of this case, the NHRC should initiate an independent review of the circumstances leading to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and examine whether due process was fully observed.

“This suspension also has wider implications. Beyond the immediate legal and ethical concerns, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension further weakens women’s representation in Nigerian politics. Her removal from the Red Chamber reduces the already abysmal 3.6% female representation in the Senate to just 2.7%—one of the lowest in the world. Countries like Rwanda, South Africa, and Senegal have made significant progress in ensuring gender balance in their legislative bodies, with women constituting over 40% of parliamentary seats in some cases. The suspension of a female senator—especially in a case where the punishment is being questioned—only reinforces structural barriers that discourage women from pursuing political office.

“Her suspension also has serious consequences for the people she represents. Her constituents in Kogi Central are now effectively left out. By removing her from office for half a year, the Senate has, in effect, denied her constituents a seat at the table where critical national decisions are made. This raises fundamental concerns about democratic representation—should a constituency be punished alongside its senator? What mechanisms are in place to ensure that the people of Kogi Central continue to receive fair representation in the absence of their elected senator? The Senate must consider the broader consequences of such decisions and ensure that its disciplinary measures do not come at the expense of democratic governance.

“The National Assembly should be a space for diverse perspectives, yet this action raises concerns about whether opposition voices are being silenced. While legislative discipline is necessary, it must be exercised with fairness and consistency.”

ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to gender justice and democratic integrity, stating:
“ActionAid Nigeria respects the institution of the Senate, but we also urge it to uphold democratic principles by allowing room for dissenting voices rather than silencing them. The credibility of any democratic institution lies in its ability to accommodate differing perspectives, protect fundamental human rights, and ensure justice for all, regardless of gender, status, or political affiliation.”

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world in commemorating International Women’s Day, ActionAid Nigeria calls on the government to accelerate progress toward gender equality by strengthening policies that promote women’s political participation. Creating a fair, transparent, and safe environment for female politicians to emerge and thrive is a critical development goal that must not be undermined by institutional bias or abuse of power.

Mamedu said failure to act on these demands will send a dangerous message about Nigeria’s commitment to gender justice and human rights. The credibility of the Senate—and indeed, our democracy—is at stake.

ActionAid Nigeria Says “Speedy Suspension” of Natasha Questionable