The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government is set to lift the visa ban imposed on Nigerian travellers.
In a recent interview with Otega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, Keyamo revealed that a resolution was reached during President Tinubu’s visit to the UAE in September 2023.
He stated that all necessary processes required by the UAE have been completed by the Nigerian government, clearing the way for an imminent announcement.
“After that high-level meeting, Mr. President made things very easy for us all. We have done our follow-ups as his ministers. We have resolved everything. Just wait for the announcement from the UAE government, and that announcement is imminent,” Keyamo affirmed.
While the specific date of the travel restriction lift is known to him, Keyamo emphasized that the official announcement rests with the UAE authorities.
The anticipated lifting of the ban is expected to facilitate easier travel for Nigerian citizens to the UAE, fostering enhanced bilateral relations between the two nations.
The UAE had initially imposed visa restrictions on Nigeria and several other African countries in 2022, affecting a total of 20 nations.
