The UAE has lifted a visa ban on Nigerian travellers to the country, according to statement by government officials in Nigeria.
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who was on a working visit to the UAE.
Following the visit, the Nigerian president issued a statement saying there would be an “immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers”.
The Nigerian president also stated that Etihad and Emirates airlines would resume flights in and out of Nigeria.
Good evening Nigerians – Home and abroad,
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) September 11, 2023
Today, in unity with my friend, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan @MohamedBinZayed , we have initiated a new era of collaboration and friendship between our nations – Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
We've also laid… pic.twitter.com/06XROxcTZT
President Tinubu announced five agreements were made following diplomatic talks:
- Immediate lifting of a visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers to the UAE
- Resumption of flights in and out of Nigeria
- An agreed framework for investments worth several billion dollars in the African country’s economy
- A joint, foreign exchange liquidity program
- A commitment to normalise relations between the two countries
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, special advisor to the president of Nigeria, said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, have finalised a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers.
“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.
“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.”
During the meeting, which took place at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed renewed his congratulations to Tinubu on assuming the presidency earlier this year and wished him every success in leading Nigeria and its people to further progress and prosperity.
Sheikh Mohamed expressed his hope that the two leaders will work together to reinforce ties between the UAE and Nigeria for the benefit of both countries.
The UAE President and Nigerian President explored opportunities for further bilateral collaboration in areas that serve both countries’ sustainable economic growth, including the economic, development, energy, and climate action fields.
The two sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and international developments of interest.
The meeting discussed the upcoming COP28 climate conference set to take place in the UAE later this year, with both parties stressing the vital importance of encouraging and enabling international cooperation to tackle global issues, including climate change.
Sheikh Mohamed underscored the UAE’s ongoing commitment to fostering ties with countries that share the same aspirations for stability, sustainable growth, and development and prosperity for their people.
He further emphasised the particular importance the UAE attaches to its relationship with Nigeria, within the framework of its strategic vision for relations with the African continent.
The President of Nigeria expressed his pleasure to be visiting the UAE and affirmed his country’s keenness to further enhance bilateral cooperation to support sustainable development and progress in both countries.
Emirates suspended flights to Nigeria on September 1, 2022, following a row over funding.
