National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has removed visa restrictions on Nigerian travelers, effective immediately.
This development was announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu on Monday.
According to Idris, the Federal Government and the UAE authorities have reached a mutually beneficial agreement, resulting in the lifting of travel restrictions on Nigerian passport holders. This means that Nigerians can now travel to the UAE without any obstacles or hindrances.
He said, “Today an agreement has been reached with the UAE, effective today, July 15. Nigerian passport holders intending to travel to the UAE can do so.”
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) had previously imposed a visa ban on Nigeria due to several diplomatic disputes.
Additionally, Emirates Airlines suspended flight operations to Nigeria because the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was unable to repatriate approximately $85 million in revenue to the UAE.
However, after a series of meetings between the Nigerian government and the UAE in June, the federal government assured Nigerians that the visa ban would be lifted soon.
Furthermore, the Nigerian government announced in June that it had paid 98% of the outstanding $850 million, paving the way for the UAE to lift the visa restrictions.
