Controversy over Japan’s ‘special visa’ for Nigerians

Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information at the State House, sparked controversy by claiming that the Japanese government had created a special visa category for highly skilled and innovative young Nigerians to live and work in Kisarazu. This announcement was made during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development.

However, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs later denied any plans to issue special visas to Nigerians. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the ruling Progressives Congress (APC) of spreading fake news for positive headlines.

This incident is reminiscent of the 2022 visa ban imposed by the United Arab Emirates on Nigeria, which was later lifted after a historic agreement between President Tinubu and UAE's President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The UAE government clarified that the visa ban was not lifted, despite claims made by the Nigerian government.

President Tinubu's recent trip to the UN General Assembly in New York also saw a mix-up regarding his appointment to ring the.