By Jimmy
The United Arab Emirates has lifted the Visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reached an agreement with UAE’s president, Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
Ikejabird reports that this was disclosed in a statement released on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale.
This comes almost a year after the Middle-Eastern nation placed an indefinite ban on all flights to and from its borders to Nigeria due to strained relationships with the past government.
Flights to Resume Immediately
According to the Ngelale, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.
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The statement also revealed that Tinubu has successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two Governments. The details will be announced in detail in the coming weeks.
Full statement below
PRESIDENT TINUBU SECURES LANDMARK DEAL WITH UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ACROSS SECTORS; VISA BAN ON NIGERIAN TRAVELERS IS LIFTED IMMEDIATELY
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 travelers.
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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In recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals today presented by President Tinubu to his counterpart, 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 defense, 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.
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.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 11, 2023
Nigerian Air Force Aircraft To Niger State Crashes
In sadly related news, a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter recently crashed near Chukuba village in Niger State’s Shiroro local government area.
The crash occurred in Nigeria’s north-central region during a rescue mission as the aircraft was en route from Niger State to Kaduna.
According to Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, the helicopter was engaged in a casualty evacuation mission before the unfortunate crash around 1pm.
