Nigerians can now breathe in relief as the United Arab Emirates In a historic turn of events officially lifted the visa ban imposed on Nigerian travelers, this was done following a high-level diplomatic meeting between President Bola Tinubu and his UAE counterpart, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi.
This momentous agreement not only restores visa privileges for Nigerian travelers but also marks the immediate resumption of flight schedules for both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines into and out of Nigeria, eliminating any further delays.
The initial suspension of operations by these airlines stemmed from difficulties in repatriating millions of dollars earned within Nigeria due to foreign exchange challenges. However, the latest negotiations have paved the way for a new era of cooperation between the two nations.
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity, released an official statement, stating, “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 benefits to Nigerians are significant. President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy efforts have yielded a groundbreaking agreement, with several billion U.S. dollars’ worth of new investments set to flow into the Nigerian economy. These investments will span multiple sectors, including defense, agriculture, and more, courtesy of the United Arab Emirates’ government investment arms.
Furthermore, a joint foreign exchange liquidity program has been negotiated between the two governments, promising additional economic stability and growth in the coming weeks.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expressed his gratitude, stating, “Special thanks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for personally leading our delegation to end this impasse with the UAE. His Midas touch during the discussion was crucial. He just made my job easier!”
This diplomatic breakthrough not only restores travel and economic ties but also highlights the positive impact of international cooperation on the lives and prosperity of Nigerians.
