United Arab Emirates Lifts Visa Ban on Nigerians.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – In a significant diplomatic development, the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially lifted the visa ban that had been imposed on Nigerian travelers.
The ban, which had been in effect since last year under the administration of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, was lifted following a high-level meeting between President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates.
The spokesperson for President Tinubu, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, confirmed the suspension of the visa ban in an official statement.
In addition to this, he revealed that both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines would promptly resume their flight schedules to and from Nigeria without any further delay.
Mr. Ngelale stated, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and 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 travelers.”
This diplomatic breakthrough signifies not only the restoration of travel rights for Nigerian citizens but also the normalization of air travel between Nigeria and the UAE.
Both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines will resume their flight operations between the two countries, providing a welcome boost to international travel.
Mr. Ngelale further clarified that this restoration of flight activity and the lifting of the visa ban did not entail any immediate payment by the Nigerian government. Instead, it was facilitated through a broader agreement that reflects President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive.
This agreement will result in several billions of U.S. dollars’ worth of new investments in the Nigerian economy across various sectors, including defense and agriculture, by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.
Additionally, President Tinubu has successfully negotiated a new foreign exchange liquidity program between the two governments, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks.
This program is expected to enhance economic cooperation and stability between Nigeria and the UAE.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Ngelale commended UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his commitment to strengthening relations between the two nations. The lifting of the visa ban and the various agreements reached during this meeting are seen as a significant step toward enhancing diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
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