President Bola Tinubu yesterday secured the immediate lifting of the ban placed on Nigerian travellers by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, who made this known, added that   Emirates and Etihad  Airlines  would  resume   inbound and outbound flights  in Nigeria  “without any further delay.”

Ngelale said in a statement that these were agreed during discussions between  Tinubu and his UAE counterpart, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi.

He added that the UAE government also agreed to bring investments worth billions of dollars into the Nigerian economy. 

The proposed investments will focus on the defence, agriculture and other sectors of the economy.

“A new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two governments’ said the President’s spokesman would be announced in detail in the coming weeks.

The statement by Ngelale reads: “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 travellers.

“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.

The ban has negatively affected many Nigerians who throng the oil-rich country for leisure and businesses since it came into being 10 months ago.  

The UAE hinged its action  on COVID-19 cases and the failure of Nigeria to repatriate over $8 million trapped funds from ticket sales.

The Federal Government retaliated by reducing  Emirates Airlines flight frequency out of Nigeria and other bilateral challenges. The developments made the Dubai-based carrier halt operations in Nigeria.

On the proposed investments by the UAE authorities, Ngelale said: “An agreed framework has been established, which will involve several billions of U.S. dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defence, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

“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.”

Ngelale said the  President   commended Al Nahyan  for his   determination to  ensure the  normalisation of “relations between the two important countries.”

Stakeholders in the aviation sector  said the intervention of President Tinubu  was a welcome development.

Head, of Strategy, Zenith Travels and spokesperson of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI)   Olumide Ohunayo, said it will address the lopsidedness in the reciprocity clause of the bilateral air services agreement between the two countries.

 He said: “Congratulations that the President was able to achieve this. It is good for the aviation industry so that the country could attract more investments from the UAE.

“The resolution will add value to travel options and flight services. Most importantly, we expect a drop in air fares, improved capacity and other benefits.”

Some experts said they look forward to seeing  “how the implementation of the visa ban reversal will play out.”

(The Nation)