- A 21-month visa ban lifted
- The visa ban stemmed from various issues
- Tinubu initiated talks with Emirati officials
Good news for Nigerians looking to travel to the United Arab Emirates! A 21-month visa ban has been lifted, following successful negotiations between the two countries.
Nigerian Information Minister Mohammed Idris announced the development, citing “mutually beneficial negotiations” that led to the change. While details are still emerging, it seems Nigerians will need to meet “updated controls and conditions” to obtain visas. This likely involves submitting documents for verification purposes, with some exceptions for underage travelers (details to be confirmed).
The visa ban stemmed from various issues, including allegations of misconduct and attempts to circumvent visa regulations. Tensions escalated when Nigeria restricted Emirates Airlines flights (from 21 weekly to just one) in retaliation for the UAE’s limitations on Nigerian carrier Air Peace (one approved flight instead of three requested).
Emirates suspended operations entirely in late 2022, citing difficulties repatriating funds from Nigeria. However, after President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023, he initiated talks with Emirati officials, including President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to resolve the situation.
The recent visa ban lift follows Emirates’ announcement in May of resuming daily flights between Lagos and Dubai starting October 2024. This popular route will offer not only passenger transport but also over 300 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity on Emirates’ passenger aircraft.
Overall, this marks a positive step towards improved relations between Nigeria and the UAE, offering renewed travel and business opportunities.
