Nigerian government has lifted the travel ban imposed on Emirates

The Nigerian government has lifted the ban on Emirates Airlines of the United Arab Emirates from operating in the country.

Mr. Hadi Sirika, the country’s Minister of Aviation, made the news Friday night in Abuja at a joint press conference with Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the Foreign Affairs Minister, and Dr. Muktar Muhammed, the Incident Manager, National Covid-19 Response Centre of the Presidential Task Force.

“Today we received letters from the UAE reducing some of the travel limits to which we had concerns,” Sirika added. As a result of this, and as the only hindrance to their activities, we believe it is necessary for us to lift the restriction on Emirates operations into the country, effective immediately (26-11-2021).

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“We are pleased to inform that this is the result of extensive negotiations between us and them,” said the company.

The lifting of the embargo is unconditional, according to the aviation minister, who also stated that all restrictions placed on Emirates’ activities have been withdrawn.

“All of the things that we put in place that caused us to disagree have been removed, so it comes with no strings attached,” he continued.

The Minister noted that the restriction on Emirates was imposed as a result of the Nigerian government’s Covid-19 protocols, which several airlines, including Emirates Airlines, were unhappy with.

“We agreed that BSC would prohibit the operations of those airlines in order to protect our citizens from some breaches that could escalate the Covid situation in Nigeria.”

Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the Foreign Affairs Minister, also spoke, saying the two countries had good conversations on their differences and that they had a balance of interests and were resolved.

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“We are glad that we are able to put the log behind us and move forward,” he said, adding, “the UAE is a country with which we have fantastic relations.”

Muhammed further stated that the suspension of direct flights to and from the UAE was made to protect Nigerians’ health and to adhere to established regulations.

He stated that the two countries’ conversations have resulted in a deeper understanding and a closer friendship.

He called the introduction of a new Covid-19 variation in South Africa as “a variant of worry,” adding that Nigeria would continue to monitor the matter and take appropriate action.

“For the time being, we have boosted our surveillance at the point of entry at the airports, increased alertness, and are paying attention to people arriving not only from South Africa but from all Southern African nations,” he said.

The House of Representatives, in a motion passed last week, established an Adhoc committee comprised of members from various relevant committees to consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aviation, and the National Intelligence Agency, among others, on the best ways to resolve the diplomatic crisis.

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Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, the House Minority Leader, raised worry in the motion that thousands of Nigerians living and working in the UAE will lose their employment and livelihood if the issue is not resolved quickly.

The Nigerian government banned Emirates Airlines from flying in the country in February 2021 after it was discovered that passengers were subjected to additional rapid antigen tests at the Lagos and Abuja airports before to departure, despite the airline’s policy of requiring a negative PCR test.