Confusion as UAE keeps mute over lifting of Visa ban on Nigerians

The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has remained mute 24 hours after the Nigerian government announced that the visa ban earlier placed on Nigerian travelers has been lifted.

Announcing the development via a statement, Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity said both leaders signed the agreement lifting Visa restrictions and other bilateral stuff yesterday.
“…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,” the statement from the presidency reads.

But 24 hours after Ngelale’s announcement, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has not made any commensurate comment to confirm the position taken in the discussion between the two leaders.

In fact, the reporting of the visit of the Nigerian President to UAE by the Emirates News Agency, only quoted the Emirate President congratulating Tinubu on becoming president and wished him every success in leading Nigeria and its people to further progress and prosperity.

The report by the Emirati News Agency reads: “President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today met with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is on a working visit to the UAE,” the agency said.

“During the meeting, which took place at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed renewed his congratulations to Tinubu on assuming the presidency earlier this year, and wished him every success in leading Nigeria and its people to further progress and prosperity.

“His Highness expressed his hope that the two leaders will work together to reinforce ties between the UAE and Nigeria for the benefit of both countries.

“The UAE President and Nigerian President explored opportunities for further bilateral collaboration in areas that serve both countries’ sustainable economic growth, including the economic, development, energy, and climate action fields.

“The two sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and international developments of interest.

“The meeting discussed the upcoming COP28 climate conference set to take place in the UAE later this year, with both parties stressing the vital importance of encouraging and enabling international cooperation to tackle global issues, including climate change.

“His Highness underscored the UAE’s ongoing commitment to fostering ties with countries that share the same aspirations for stability, sustainable growth, and development and prosperity for their people. He further emphasised the particular importance the UAE attaches to its relationship with Nigeria, within the framework of its strategic vision for relations with the African continent.

“The President of Nigeria expressed his pleasure to be visiting the UAE and affirmed his country’s keenness to further enhance bilateral cooperation to support sustainable development and progress in both countries.”

The agency’s statement listed those in attendance on the UAE side as well as “the delegation accompanying the Nigerian President, which included a number of ministers and high-ranking officials”.

The Visa ban slammed on Nigerians, according to Abike Dabiri, the head of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), was for those under 40. She disclosed this in September 2022.

“The UAE government has now introduced a new visa regime and has stopped issuing tourist visas to persons under the age of 40 years, except for those applying for family visas,” she had said, blaming the ban on the bad conduct of Nigerians in foreign countries.”