The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted a visa ban earlier placed on Nigerian travellers, the Nigerian government stated on Monday.

Announcing the development via a statement, Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said President Bola Tinubu and President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE signed the agreement earlier in the day.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, have finalised a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers,” the statement read in part.

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“Furthermore, 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.

“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.

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“Additionally, President Tinubu is pleased to have successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two Governments, which will be announced in detail in the coming weeks.

“In conclusion, the President wishes to commend the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his unalloyed friendship and his determined effort to join hands with him to fully normalize and reset to excellence, the standard of relations between the two important countries.”

Despite Ngelale’s announcement, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has not yet made any comment on the visa ban lifting,

Emirates News Agency, the official news agency of the UAE, only reported that Nahyan congratulated Tinubu on becoming president and wished him every success in leading Nigeria and its people to further progress and prosperity.

“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”.

Back in September 2022, Abike Dabiri, the head of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), had revealed a UAE travel ban on Nigerians under 40.

“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.