UAE lifts visa ban for Nigeria, resumes flights to Africa’s most populous nation

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will lift a visa ban on travelers from Nigeria and Emirates Airlines will resume flights to Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation.

This decision follows a meeting between Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

President Tinubu, who was returning from the G20 summit in India, had been actively seeking a resolution to the disagreements with Emirates Airlines and the visa issues faced by Nigerian travelers.

Last year, the UAE suspended visa issuance to Nigerians due to difficulties in repatriating funds from Nigeria, which led to Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airlines suspending their flights to Nigeria.

The restoration of flight activities and the lifting of the visa ban come as a result of negotiations between the two leaders, and importantly, there is no immediate financial burden on the Nigerian government.

Nigeria, as Africa's top oil producer, has faced challenges with dollar shortages, affecting foreign airlines that sell tickets in Nigerian naira currency.

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