UAE lifts visa ban on Nigerians as Emirates, Etihad resume flight operations

Visa ban on Nigerian travellers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been lifted with immediate effect.

The development is the product of engagement between President Bola Tinubu and President of the UAE, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The two leaders, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, finalized the historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers.

With the agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.

Also, the deal involves several billions of U.S. dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defense, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), in a statement made available to The Star on Monday September 11, 2023 confirmed the agreements.

“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 U.S. dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defense, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates,” Ngelale said.

The Presidential Adviser stated that President Tinubu is pleased to have successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two Governments, which will be announced in detail in the coming weeks.

Tinubu commends 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.

The Star