The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government will soon lift the visa ban imposed on Nigerian travellers. Keyamo disclosed this during a 44-minute interview with Otega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, which was published on the official YouTube page of the State House of Nigeria. He mentioned that a resolution was reached between President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during President Tinubu’s working visit to the UAE in September 2023.
Initially, the UAE had stipulated additional processes to be fulfilled before lifting the ban. However, Keyamo confirmed that the Nigerian government has completed all necessary procedures, clearing the way for an imminent announcement from the UAE government.
“After that high-level meeting, Mr. President, credited to him, made things very easy for us all. We did our follow-ups as his ministers. We have done everything. We have resolved everything. Just wait for the announcement from the UAE government, and that announcement is imminent,” Keyamo stated.
Although Keyamo is aware of the specific date for lifting the travel restriction, he emphasized that the official announcement rests with the UAE government.
The anticipated lifting of the ban is expected to restore ease of travel for Nigerian citizens to the UAE, fostering enhanced bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.
It is noteworthy that the UAE imposed visa restrictions on Nigerians and nationals from approximately 20 other African countries in 2022. These countries include Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Comoros, and the Dominican Republic.
