By Adedapo Adesanya
The visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been lifted after President Bola Tinubu held talks with the leader of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mr Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi.
According to Mr Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, both countries finalised a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigeria.
“Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay,” the statement said.
Recall that in October 2022, the Emirates banned nationals of Nigeria and a few other African countries from entering one of its cities, Dubai.
“This is to inform you that we will not be posting 30 days visa applications for these nationalities effective today October 18, 2022,” a notice read in part.
Aside from Nigeria, other countries affected by the visa ban included Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Comoros, and the Dominican Republic.
In the notice issued to trade partners, including travel agents, it was indicated that all applications from the countries should be rejected.
“Any applications from the above-mentioned countries will be sent back or cancelled,” it read.
Now, as negotiated between the two Heads of State, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government.
It was disclosed that both parties agreed on a framework which will involve several billions of US Dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defense, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the government of the UAE.
The statement also said President Tinubu has successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two governments. It was revealed that the details will be announced in the coming weeks.
President Tinubu, after leaving New Delhi, India, the venue of the just-concluded G20 Summit, jetted out to the UAE. He was invited to India by Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi.
