Ties between Nigeria, UAE restored as Emirates Airlines sets to commence immediate flight operations

The visa ban imposed on the Nigerian travellers to the United Arab Emirates has been lifted following a meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and president Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The UAE also said Emirates and Etihad airlines will commence operations to Nigeria as relations are restored between the two countries…

The United Arab Emirates says its airlines will commence immediate flight operations to Nigeria and lift a visa ban on Nigerian travellers, after a meeting between the leaders of the two countries.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met on Monday in Abu Dhabi where the visa ban was lifted and agreed on new investments into Africa’s largest economy.

Apart from the visa and airline reopenings, Sheikh Al Nahyan also promised multibillion-dollar investments in different sectors in Nigeria, particularly defense and agriculture.

He assured the Nigerian government of his plan to offer a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between Nigeria and the UAE, details of which were said to be announced in a short period of time.

Tinubu made a technical stopover in Abu Dhabi on his way back from the G20 meeting in India, where he wooed investors to Nigeria.

The Nigerian leader stated last month that he wants a speedy settlement to the Arab country’s disagreements with Emirates Airlines and visa complications.

Emirates and Etihad airlines suspended flights due to an inability to repatriate funds from Nigeria. The UAE also stopped issuing visas to Nigerians last year.