The Federal Government of Nigeria announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon lift its visa ban on Nigerian travelers. Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, revealed this development during an interview with the State House media.
Keyamo credited President Bola Tinubu’s September 2023 working visit to the UAE for the breakthrough. During the visit, Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed lifting the visa ban, which was imposed on December 13, 2021, due to a surge in COVID-19 cases among travelers from Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“After that high-level meeting, Mr. President, credited to him, made things very easy for us all. We did our follow-ups as his ministers,” Keyamo said.
“We have done everything. We have resolved everything. Just wait for the announcement from the UAE government, and that announcement is imminent. They would announce. I want to give it to them to announce the date.”
The lifting of the ban is expected to facilitate smoother travel for Nigerian citizens to the UAE, fostering improved bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries. This move is anticipated to strengthen economic and cultural ties, benefiting both nations significantly.