The Nigerian governments assertion that the United Arab Emirates is about to lift a year-long visa ban on Nigerian travelers has been contradicted by an unidentified official from the Gulf State. Speaking to CNN, the source stated, “There have been no alterations to the travel status between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates thus far.” The source requested anonymity due to not being authorized to speak to the media.
Last October, the United Arab Emirates announced its decision to cease issuing visas to citizens from Nigeria and 19 other African nations, providing no additional information.
Previously, obtaining a 30-day tourist visa had been a straightforward process until the United Arab Emirates abruptly discontinued issuing these visas to Nigerian nationals. Flight services between the two countries were suspended last year when Dubai’s Emirates airline cited unresolved revenues totaling $85 million withheld in Nigeria.
In contrast, earlier that week, Nigeria’s president Bola Tinubu held a meeting with United Arab Emirates leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, where they supposedly “finalized a historic agreement,” as stated by the Nigerian government.
The government’s release claimed that this agreement paved the way for the lifting of the visa ban and the immediate resumption of flights between both nations. The statement by Nigeria’s presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, additionally declared that “both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to resume immediately resume flights schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.”
Nevertheless, a subsequent statement by the United Arab Emirates government on the same day did not confirm the lifting of the visa ban or the resumption of flights. Instead, it mentioned that both leaders had explored opportunities for further bilateral cooperation with the hope of strengthening ties between the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria.
In a follow-up statement, Nigerian government spokesman Ngelale indicated that officials from both countries required additional time to finalize the specifics of the agreement, which was in contrast to his earlier announcement. He stated, “Given the agreement reached between the two Heads of State, it is necessary to allow cabinet officials from both sides to work out the finer details and finalize the cross-sectoral agreements.” He also suggested that everyone should allow the process to unfold naturally, without making speculative assumptions.
PLAYGROUND FOR THE PRIVILEGED
The potential lifting of the visa ban was received with great enthusiasm among Nigerians, especially those who frequently visit Dubai, a popular destination for Nigerian tourists and a favored location for real estate investments by Nigerian individuals.
Before COVID-19 pandemic, Nigerians were among Dubai’s most significant foreign real estate investors, with investments valued at nearly $2 billion, according to the Dubai Land Department. Before the ban, Emirates Airlines operated two daily flights from Lagos, Nigeria, to Dubai, and one daily flight from the capital, Abuja, to Dubai.
