UAE lifts visa ban, restores flight schedules for Nigerian travellers
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially lifted the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers.
This development follows a crucial meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, held in Abu Dhabi.
Another noteworthy agreement resulting from this high-level meeting is the immediate resumption of flight schedules for both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines to and from Nigeria, without any further delays.
The announcement of these agreements was made through an official statement issued by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity.
According to the statement, “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.”
The statement further elaborated that as part of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy efforts and the proposals presented during the meeting, an agreed framework has been established.
This will encompass several billions of U.S. dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy, spanning various sectors, including defense, agriculture, and others, facilitated by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.
Additionally, the statement revealed that President Tinubu has successfully negotiated a joint foreign exchange liquidity program between the two governments, which will be detailed in the coming weeks.
