On Monday, September 11, President Bola Tinubu successfully negotiated an immediate end to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) travel ban on Nigerian citizens.
This diplomatic achievement followed discussions between President Tinubu and UAE’s Emirati leader, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi. In addition to lifting the visa ban, it was also agreed that Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines would recommence their inbound and outbound flight services in Nigeria.
The statement also disclosed that the resumption of operations by both airlines requires the Nigerian federal government to make any immediate payments.
“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.
“Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.
“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 statement said.
Meanwhile, the UAE government has agreed to bring various investments into the Nigerian economy, worth several billions of dollars, all in recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development drive.
According to the statement, the incoming investments will focus on the defence, agriculture and other sectors of the Nigerian economy.
It added: “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 defence, 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.
“In conclusion, the President wishes to commend 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.”
