Abuja – The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced a landmark agreement allowing Nigerian passport holders to resume travel to the UAE.
The agreement follows successful talks and negotiations between the two governments.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known to State House correspondents on Monday after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Idris said the Federal Government and the UAE authorities have reached an agreement vacating travel restrictions imposed on Nigerians with immediate effect.
The minister revealed that Nigerian passport holders can now travel to the UAE without any hindrance.
He said, “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.
“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.
“Details of that will be provided to you later today when we put out a statement.”
It will be recalled that the UAE imposed the visa ban on Nigeria in connection with several diplomatic disputes.
Dubai’s Emirates airline also suspended flight operations to Nigeria over the CBN’s inability to send the UAE an estimated $85 million in revenue.
In June, after a series of meetings with the government of the United Arab Emirates, the Federal government assured Nigerians that the visa ban would soon be lifted.
In the same month, the Nigerian government announced that it had paid 98 per cent of $850m.
Details later…
