The United Arab Emirates, UAE, has finally lifted the visa ban it placed on Nigerian travellers last year after talks with the Nigerian government. About 10months ago, the Emirates placed a Visa ban on Nigerians including deporting those residing in the UAE which has affected Nigerian travellers whom their choice destination was mostly the UAE for doing businesses and tourism. Shortly after president Tinubu left the G20 summit in India, he headed for the Emirates to rekindle the bilateral relationship that has been existing between the Nigeria and that of the UAE.
Accordingly, after the UAE Ambassador, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi presented his letter of credence at the state House Abuja; President Tinubu immediately directed the resolution be made to rekindle the ties between the two countries.
In a statement made public today by the presidential spokesperson on Media, Ajuri Ngelale, he revealed that the meeting of Nigerian president and the Emirati was fruitful.
The statement partly reads; “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, have finalized 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.
The statement added, “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.
“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.”
