Tinubu records another milestone as UAE lifts visa ban on Nigeria after 11 months

The United Arab Emirates has finally lifted the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers after almost 11 months.

This is coming after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, finalized a historic agreement which resulted in the immediate lifting of the visa ban.

Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.

Persecondnews reports that the UAE had in October last year banned nationals of 20 African countries, including Nigeria from entering its capital city, Dubai.

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, a statement the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said.

“In recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals 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 defence, agriculture and others by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

“Additionally, 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.

“In conclusion, the President wishes to commend 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.”