UAE set to lift visa ban on THIS country: Here’s all you need to know

Dubai: The government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon lift the visa ban on Nigerian nationals, it has emerged recently.

The development was confirmed by Nigeria‘s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo. The ban came into effect in 2022 and affected many Nigerians who had to travel to the Emirates for various purposes.

During a welcome dinner for delegates at the 80th Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Minister highlighted that the visa ban issue has been resolved, and only an announcement is yet to be made.

‘They want to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. It will be announced in a few weeks,” the minister said.

“Nigerians have a lot at stake with a lot of investment here in the UAE. What we are doing is to make it easier for millions of Nigerians who have put a lot of pressure on us to ensure that “We will reopen this route,” he added.

As far as the history of the matter is concerned, the travel ban was imposed by the UAE due to diplomatic disputes, including issues with visa denials and a face-off with Emirates Airlines, which had suspended flights to Nigeria.

Nigerian authorities, including President Bola Tinubu, began stepping up efforts last year to resolve the conflict.

In several media reports, it was revealed that a landmark agreement had been reached and the visa ban would be lifted. However, Emirati officials have denied such claims in the past.

The official announcement regarding the lifting of the visa ban is expected to revive bilateral relations and increase trade and flight connections between the two countries.

The development comes after Emirates Airlines announced that it will resume flights to Nigeria from October 1.