The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government has finally lifted the visa ban imposed on Nigerians, effective immediately.
This was disclosed to State House media by Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, following the Federal Executive Council meeting, which President Bola Tinubu chaired on Monday, July 15, 2024.
According to Mohammed Idris, an agreement has been reached between the Federal Government and the authorities in the United Arab Emirates to lift travel restrictions on Nigerians, effective immediately.
The minister also disclosed that bearers of Nigerian passports can now enter the UAE without any problems.
“I can tell you that the agreement has been reached and effective from today, Nigerian passport holders intending to travel to the UAE are able to do so”, the Minister said.
“You are aware that Nigeria has been discussing with the United Arab Emirates the issue of visas for Nigerian passport holders going to the United Arab Emirates”.
“Today, an agreement has been reached on that, and effective from today 15th July, Nigerian passport holders are able to obtain visas to go to the United Arab Emirates”, he concluded.
The declaration comes more than two years after the UAE stopped issuing visas to Nigerians as a result of a protracted diplomatic spat between the two countries.
Recall that the UAE imposed a visa ban on Nigeria and Nigerians barely two years ago due to different diplomatic disagreements.
In addition, Emirates Airlines of Dubai suspended service to Nigeria due to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s inability to transfer an estimated $85 million in earnings to the UAE.
To iron out the kinks in their diplomatic ties, President Bola Tinubu met with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates in September 2023 in Abu Dhabi.
Nigerians were given the assurance by the Federal authorities in June 2024, that the visa block will be removed shortly after multiple talks with the UAE authorities.