After nearly a year, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) lifted its restriction on Nigerian travelers obtaining visas.
This follows a historic agreement between President Bola Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
He noted that by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria.
The statement also added that as negotiated between the two heads of state, the restoration of flight activities does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government.
“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.”
Tinubu commended 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.
The UAE had in October last year banned nationals of some 20 African countries, including Nigeria from entering its capital city, Dubai.