FG, UAE Reach Agreement On Resumption Of Travels For Nigerian Passport Holders

The Federal Government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached an agreement vacating travel restrictions imposed on Nigerians with immediate effect.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed this to State House correspondents on Monday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, on Monday.

According to the Minister, effective immediately, Nigerian passport holders can now travel to the UAE.

He said, “Today an agreement has been reached with the UAE effective from today July 15, Nigerian passport holders intending to travel to UAE can do so.”

Recall that the UAE had in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and behavior of some nationals of other countries in 2022 banned nationals of some 20 African countries including Nigeria from entering its capital city, Dubai.

This was followed by a spat between Nigeria and UAE over the procedure for handling travellers entering Dubai during the pandemic which Nigeria frowned at.

The decision among others forced Emirates to exit Nigeria including claims of millions of dollars belonging to the country trapped in Nigeria.

Upon assumption of office, President Tinubu had directed the resolution of a diplomatic spat with the UAE over the suspension of Nigerian visas in retaliation for Lagos’s retention of funds owed to the Emirates.