The UAE has lifted the year-long visa restrictions for Nigerian travelers, the Nigerian government confirmed on Monday.
The development comes after successful discussions between Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and the UAE leader, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The monumental agreement was reached during a meeting in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, marking the end of visa restrictions that had been in place since last October.
In an announcement by Nigeria’s presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, the meeting culminated in “a historic agreement” which brings to a halt the visa ban, facilitating the immediate resumption of flights between the two nations.
Ngelale noted, “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 travelers.” The spokesperson emphasized that this agreement lays a significant milestone in the bilateral relations of both countries.
The agreement also signals a green light for both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines to “immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay,” promoting tourism and business trips between the UAE and Nigeria, thereby fostering stronger bilateral ties.
Flights between the two nations were halted last year, following a suspension of operations by Dubai’s Emirates airline, which cited issues with trapped revenues as the cause for the suspension.