According to a statement released by the Presidential spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the UAE ban was lifted on Monday following a productive discussion between Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and UAE’s leader, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi.
The Presidential spokesman released a statement mentioning that the ban was lifted immediately, while both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines were to immediately resume.
The statement reads:
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“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, have finalized a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers.”
As negotiated between the two Heads of State, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government,” he had said.
However, Emirates News Agency, the official news agency of the UAE, didn’t mention anything about lifting the visa ban, as it only made mention of the meeting with Nahyan renewing his congratulations to Tinubu on assuming the presidency, and wished him every success in leading Nigeria.
Below is the full statement released by UAE:
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.
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.
From the statement above, it shows that President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE, only discussed strengthening bilateral relations and key global issues, but there was no mention of the reported lifting of the visa ban as previously stated by the Nigerian Presidency.
Reacting to UAE statement on Tuesday, the Presidency Ngelale said there was a need for both the Nigerian government and the UAE authorities to work out final details before the ban is fully lifted.
In his words:
“Given the agreement struck between the two Heads of State, there is need to allow cabinet officials from both sides to work out the finer details and finalize the cross-sectoral agreements. Everyone can now allow the process to work itself out organically, devoid of speculation.”
