- Subscribe to our Telegram Channel for more news and videos – CLICK HERE
The Presidency has said Nigerian government officials and those of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are finalising agreements on a visa ban lift.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had met with Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, his UAE counterpart, to resolve the diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
The ban was imposed by the UAE in October 2022, following a diplomatic dispute between the two countries. The ban affected thousands of Nigerians who regularly travel to the UAE for business, tourism, and leisure.
NEW: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
In a statement on Monday, Presidential spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, announced that the meeting with the UAE authorities was fruitful.
According to Ngelale, the ban was lifted immediately, while both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines were to immediately resume.
“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.”
“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,” he had said.
Surprisingly, the UAE authorities did not make reference to lifting of the ban in its statement on the meeting.
Emirates News Agency, the official news agency of the UAE, reported that during the meeting, which took place at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, Nahyan renewed his congratulations to Tinubu on assuming the presidency, and wished him every success in leading Nigeria and its people to further progress and prosperity.
Nigerians had expressed mixed reactions to the silence of the UAE on the visa ban lift.
UPDATE: You can receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp, click “HERE” to join our group.
But providing further clarification on the issue on Tuesday, Ngelale said, “Given the agreement struck between the two Heads of State, there is need to allow cabinet officials from both sides to work out the finer details and finalize the cross-sectoral agreements. Everyone can now allow the process to work itself out organically, devoid of speculation.”
Share News with us via Email: intelregion.com@gmail.com
📡Join Our Social Media Channels:
- WhatsApp: iR News Room
- Facebook: Intel Region News
- Twitter: @intelregion
- Instagram: @intelregion
- Telegram: iR News Room