The Presidency has confirmed that the Federal Government of Nigeria and the authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are in the final stages of negotiations to resolve the visa restriction imposed on Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu engaged in discussions with his UAE counterpart, Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during their meeting on Monday. As a result of this historic meeting, an announcement was made by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity, stating that the two leaders have “finalized a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers.”
Additionally, it was revealed that Etihad and Emirates airlines would promptly resume flight operations in Nigeria.
While the UAE’s official statement did not explicitly confirm or deny the reported lifting of the visa ban, it highlighted the commitment of both nations to strengthen their ties and explore opportunities for bilateral collaboration. The statement emphasized the areas of economic growth, development, energy, and climate action as potential areas for cooperation.
Addressing the situation on Tuesday, Ngelale stressed the importance of allowing cabinet officials from both sides to work out the finer details and finalize cross-sectoral agreements. He urged patience in allowing the resolution process to unfold smoothly without undue speculation.