Federal government to address ill-treatment of Nigerians in Dubai

- The ill-treatment of Nigerians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has attracted the attention of the federal government

- Minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammaed said the issue would be addressed

- The government's areas of interest are the visa and banking policies against Nigerians 

Nigeria's minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has promised that the federal government would address the unfavourable government policies against Nigerians living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Mohammed noted that the government is not unaware of the obnoxious policies on visa and banking against Nigerians in the Arab nation.

The Minister made the promise in Abu Dhabi when he met with the officials of the Nigerian Embassy in UAE, led by the Charge d’ Affaires, Mr Nura Rimi, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

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Mohammed took a break from his participation in the International Conference for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Conflict Areas, to meet with Rimi on the issue.

The minister lamented that a situation where many Nigerians with genuine mission to the UAE were given only two weeks visa into the country was not acceptable.

He also expressed shock to hear that Nigerians studying in the country were not allowed to open bank accounts, making it difficult to send money to them by their parents.

He assured that he would bring the matter up with the appropriate authorities in Nigeria and ensure something is done to address the challenges.

His words: “I think these are quite serious issues especially when Nigeria gives them months when they apply for visa. I can assure you that the government will take it up.

“On the denial to open accounts, of course you will always have good people and bad people in every society, but unfortunately, it is that bad people that always attract the attention of the authorities.

“We will not want to be judged by these bad people and I think again it is a matter that the government has to immediately take up.”

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Meanwhile, luxury shops in Dubai, UAE have expressed their frustration over the absence of Nigerians who usually patronise them before the current economic situation in Nigeria changed the story.

In a recent interview with Business Day. most of the shop owners and managers confirmed that Nigerians are their biggest customers.

Nigerians have stayed away mainly because of a weaker naira and higher airfares as they cut down on expenses in order to cope with the recession.