By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The visa ban earlier placed on Nigerian travellers by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been lifted after two years.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, February 26, 2024, it was, however, stated that applicants must “first obtain a Document Verification Number” to obtain a visa into the country.
The UAE government advised Nigerian travellers to strictly “adhere to the guidelines and initiate the applications promptly, ensuring and smooth transition to the new system,”
Recall that last year, President Bola Tinubu, after he assumed office in May 2023, travelled to the Middle East country to talk to the government on how to resolve the travel ban on his citizens.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, later released a statement to claim the ban had been removed when it was not so.
Today, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, the different aides of Mr Tinubu, including Mr Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that the restriction has finally been removed.
In the statement from the UAE posted by him, the country’s Embassy in Abuja said its country agreed to lift the embargo because of a “shared commitment to strengthening ties, enhancing cultural exchanges, and fostering opportunities for economic and social collaboration.”
“All Nigerian applicants for UAE visas are required to first obtain a Document Verification Number. This essential step is to be completed by visiting the dedicated online Document Verification Hub platform (official link https://documentverficationhub.com,” the UAE Embassy said.
“We encourage all prospective travellers to adhere to the guidelines and initiate the applications promptly, ensuring and smooth transition to the new system,” it added.
