The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted its visa restrictions on Nigerian travelers. This announcement was made by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, on Monday during a briefing with State House correspondents following the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
In October 2022, the UAE imposed a ban on citizens from approximately 20 African nations, including Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Liberia, Burundi, the Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Comoros, and the Dominican Republic.
The Emirate authorities had issued a notice to trade partners and travel agents, instructing them to reject all visa applications from these countries.
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The ban led to a diplomatic dispute between the UAE and Nigeria, particularly concerning flight allocations and travel restrictions.
In August 2023, President Bola Tinubu intervened in the dispute, addressing issues related to visa issuance and the standoff with Emirates Airlines, which had ceased flights into Nigeria due to the conflict.
By June 2024, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that the dispute between the two nations had been resolved. The lifting of the visa restriction marks a significant step in mending diplomatic relations and easing travel for Nigerian citizens.
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The Federal Government’s efforts in resolving this issue are expected to enhance bilateral relations and facilitate smoother travel for Nigerians to the UAE.
Further details on the implementation of this decision are anticipated to be released soon.