September 11, (THEWILL) – The United Arab Emirates has lifted the visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers.
A statement issued by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said the development was part of a historic agreement finalised on Monday, in Abu Dhabi, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
By the historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria without any further delay.
“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.
“In recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals today presented by President Tinubu to his counterpart, an agreed framework has been established, which will involve several billions of US dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defence, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates,” the statement added.
THEWILL recalls that Emirates Airline had suspended flight operations to Nigeria in October 2022 over the country’s inability to repatriate trapped funds. The Government of UAE also banned nationals of 20 African countries, including Nigeria, from entering Abu Dhabi, its capital.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two Governments.
Ajuri said details of the programme will be announced in the coming weeks.
President Tinubu commended the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his unalloyed friendship and his determined effort to “join hands with him to fully normalize and reset to excellence, the standard of relations between the two important countries.”
