Tinubu steps in to resolve UAE visa ban on Nigerians

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken action to potentially end the visa ban imposed on Nigerians by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking his first public involvement in the ongoing issue.

The visa ban has led to the suspension of flights between Nigeria and the UAE by Emirates, the UAE’s national carrier.

The UAE authorities initiated the visa ban in October 2022, which came shortly after Emirates suspended flights to Nigeria. In response, Nigerian airline Air Peace, which also operated flights to Dubai, halted its services as the UAE ceased issuing visas to Nigerian travelers.

On Tuesday, November 22, 2022, Air Peace announced the suspension of its flights, which was set to remain in effect “until further notice.”

President Tinubu’s intervention now offers a glimmer of hope for resolving this diplomatic impasse.

ALSO READ

• Subsidy palliatives might plunge states into N1.34tn debt
• Credible information ‘ll reduce apathy among Nigerians – Minister of Information
• Japa: 5 things you MUST know about Brits before relocating to the UK

NRTC gathered that the Emirates suspended its flight to Nigeria over its inability to repatriate trapped funds.

Receiving Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria at the State House on Thursday, the President directed that issues affecting relations with the Emirates Airline, and issuance of visas to Nigerians should be “immediately’’ resolved, emphasizing that he stands prepared to “personally’’ intervene.

“We are a family with the UAE, we only live in separate rooms, but we are in the same house. We should look at the issues as a family problem, and resolve it amicably. As you know in every family, there are peculiarities. You can have an erring son, or daughter, but we must work together. We need to agree on core aviation and immigration issues,” the President stated.

The Ambassador of UAE said he already sees himself as a “Nigerian’’ considering the historical antecedents of the country, its long-standing leadership role in Africa, and its reputation for hospitality to strangers.

“Since I arrived in the country, I have been working on 24 agreements. We are getting somewhere. These are small issues, all within a family, and they will be resolved. I am grateful to be here in Nigeria. I am also very grateful to meet His Excellency, President Tinubu, who is a great leader in Nigeria, and Africa. Please accept me as a Nigerian and consider me a member of your team,” he appealed.