The Presidency has denied media reports claiming that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted the ban on visa issuance to Nigerian citizens.
Contrary to earlier reports circulating across various news platforms, the UAE supposedly announced the reinstatement of visa services for Nigerians, indicating a resumption of travel to the Arabian country.
Reportedly, a joint statement titled “Resumption of Visa Services for Nigerians Travelling to the UAE,” dated March 4, 2024, was reportedly released by the federal government of Nigeria and the UAE.
The statement allegedly highlighted discussions between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, as the basis for this decision.
According to the statement, visa issuance supposedly recommenced on March 4, 2024, marking a significant milestone resulting from extensive negotiations between the two nations.
However, in a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday evening, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the reports.
Onanuga noted that the UAE has not resumed visa issuance to Nigerians and clarified that the document circulating was not authorized by either the Nigerian or UAE governments.
In his words; “UAE has not resumed visa issuance to Nigerians. The document in circulation is not authorized either by the Nigerian government or the UAE.”