The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has contradicted earlier claims made by the Nigerian government regarding the lifting of a year-long visa ban on Nigerian travelers.
This development has left many Nigerians in a state of uncertainty, especially those who have been eagerly anticipating the reopening of travel between the two nations.
Just days ago, an official from the UAE, who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorization to speak to the media, informed CNN that “there are no changes on the Nigeria/UAE travel status so far.”
This statement directly contradicts the announcement made by Nigerian presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, who declared that an agreement had been reached between the two countries, allowing for the immediate resumption of flights and the lifting of the visa ban.
The UAE imposed the visa ban last October, affecting citizens from Nigeria and 19 other African nations. The abrupt halt in the issuance of visas to Nigerian nationals marked a significant shift from the previously relatively easy process of obtaining a 30-day tourist visa for the UAE.
Moreover, the suspension of flights between the two countries, initiated by Dubai’s Emirates airline, added to the strain in bilateral relations. Emirates airline suspended its operations in Nigeria, citing difficulties in accessing and repatriating approximately $85 million in withheld funds.
Dubai, a favored destination for Nigerian travelers for many years, also served as a haven for real-estate investors from Nigeria. Before the pandemic, Nigerians were among Dubai’s largest foreign real-estate investors, with investments valued at nearly $2 billion, according to local media reports.
The initial announcement from Nigeria’s presidential spokesman appeared to bring hope and relief to many who had been affected by the travel restrictions. However, the subsequent statement from the UAE government painted a different picture.
It mentioned that during the meeting, both leaders had “explored opportunities for further bilateral collaboration” without mentioning the lifting of the visa ban or the resumption of flights.
In response to the confusion, Nigerian government spokesman Ajuri Ngelale issued a follow-up statement, acknowledging that officials from both countries needed more time to finalize the details of the agreement.
He urged patience, saying, “Everyone can now allow the process to work itself out organically, devoid of speculation.”
This bewildering turn of events has left Nigerian travelers, investors, and those with ties to the UAE in a state of uncertainty. Many are eagerly awaiting clarity on the status of the visa ban and the resumption of flights, as they hold out hope for a return to normalcy in their cross-border relations with the UAE.
