The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted its visa restrictions on Nigeria, effective immediately.
This development was announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu on Monday.
According to Idris, the Federal Government and UAE authorities have reached an agreement to vacate travel restrictions on Nigerian passport holders. “I can tell you that the agreement has been reached, and effective from today, Nigerian passport holders intending to travel to the UAE are able to do so,” he said.
The minister revealed that details of the agreement would be provided in a statement later on Monday. This development comes after a series of meetings between the Nigerian government and UAE authorities to resolve diplomatic disputes that led to the visa ban.
The UAE had imposed the visa ban on Nigeria in connection with several diplomatic disputes, including the inability of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to repatriate an estimated $85 million in revenue to the UAE. However, the Nigerian government announced in June that it had paid 98% of the $850 million owed to the UAE.
With the lifting of the visa restrictions, Nigerian passport holders can now travel to the UAE without hindrance. This development is expected to improve relations between both countries and boost economic ties.
