A former Chair of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas, Mr Obed Monago has demanded that the United Arab Emirates refund the application fees of Nigerians seeking their visas.
He made this known via a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday where he addressed the recent visa ban placed on Nigerians by the UAE government.
It would be recalled that Nigerians seeking entry into the UAE are currently subject to a visa prohibition, and all applications submitted were denied without refunding the applicants’ visa payments.
Reacting to the development, Monago while decrying the decision expressed optimism that the embargo would soon be lifted given the positive relations between Nigeria and the UAE.
Monago said: “It is definitely appalling that the citizens of the giant of Africa are treated and toyed with in this manner and the blame goes to successive Nigerian governments.
“Also Nigerians in the UAE, who have refused or did not realise that UAE is a sovereign country with its own rules and regulations, should also be blamed.
“I find troubling the nullification of visa applications and the keeping of the visa fees by the UAE government. The UAE should fully refund the application fees.
“If they refund the fees that would show that the actions they are taking are in good faith and if they hold on to the fees, it would amount to extortion,“ he said.
