UAE Government Lifts Visa Ban On Nigerians After Tinubu’s Intervention

On Monday in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates issued an order to abolish the visa ban for travelers from Nigeria.

The removal of the restriction followed negotiations between the presidents of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, according to a statement from President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale.

According to the press release, Tinubu praised UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his “unwavering friendship and his resolute endeavor to join hands with him to totally normalise and reset to perfection, the standard of relations between the two vital countries.”

The United Arab Emirates’ President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reached a historic deal on Monday in Abu Dhabi, the Nigerian government announced. As a result, the visa requirement for Nigerian citizens would immediately end.

“Furthermore, under the terms of this historic deal, flights into and out of Nigeria must restart right now on both Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airlines, without additional delay. This rapid restoration of flying activity, via these two airlines, and between the two countries does not entail any immediate payment by the Nigerian government, as agreed upon by the two heads of state.An agreement framework has been established, entailing several billions of new investments by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates into the Nigerian economy across many sectors, including defense, agriculture, and others, in recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals presented today by President Tinubu to his counterpart.

“President Tinubu is also glad to have successfully negotiated a combined, new foreign exchange liquidity initiative between the two Governments, which will be announced in more detail in the upcoming weeks.

“In closing, the President wishes to praise the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his unwavering friendship and his resolute determination to join forces with him to fully normalize and reset to excellence, the standard of relations between the two significant countries,” the president said.