UAE to Soon Lift Visa Ban on Nigerians – Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government will soon lift the visa ban imposed on Nigerian travelers.

During a 44-minute interview with Otega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, published on the official YouTube page of the State House of Nigeria, Keyamo explained that a resolution had been reached between President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during President Tinubu’s working visit to the UAE in September 2023.

According to Keyamo, although the UAE initially outlined additional requirements before the ban could be officially lifted, the Nigerian government has completed all necessary processes, paving the way for an imminent announcement from the UAE government.

“After that high-level meeting, Mr. President, credited to him, made things very easy for us all. We did our follow-ups as his ministers. We have done everything.

We have resolved everything. Just wait for the announcement from the UAE government, and that announcement is imminent,” Keyamo stated.

The Aviation Minister also mentioned that he is aware of the specific date when the travel restriction will be lifted, but emphasized that it is up to the UAE government to make the official announcement.

The lifting of the ban is expected to restore ease of travel for Nigerian citizens to the UAE, thereby enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.

It is worth recalling that in 2022, the UAE imposed visa restrictions on Nigerians and the citizens of about 20 other African countries.

The affected countries include Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Comoros, and the Dominican Republic.