Breaking: Visa Ban on Nigerian travellers Lifted, as Tinubu Seals Historic Agreement With UAE President

• Emirates, Etihad Airlines to immediately resume flight in and out of Nigeria 

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu and his United Arab Emirates (UAE) counterpart, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, sealed an historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers.

Also by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules in and out of Nigeria, without any further delay. 

According to a release issued by presidential spokesperson, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, as negotiated between the two presidents, the immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government.

In recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals 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 defence, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the Government of the UAE.

In addition, President Tinubu successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two governments, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks.

The president also commended 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 frontline nations.