Nigeria and UAE sign landmark deal to boost cooperation and lift visa ban
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have signed a landmark deal to enhance bilateral cooperation and lift the visa ban imposed on Nigerian travellers by the UAE.
The deal was finalized on Monday in Abu Dhabi, where Tinubu paid an official visit to the UAE, which is one of Nigeria’s major trading partners in the Middle East. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen ties in various sectors, including trade, investment, energy, security, tourism, culture and education.
One of the key outcomes of the visit was the immediate cessation of the visa ban that the UAE had placed on Nigerian travellers since 2020, following cases of fraud and identity theft involving some Nigerians. The ban had affected thousands of Nigerians who travel to the UAE for business, education, medical treatment or leisure.
The lifting of the visa ban is expected to boost the economic and social relations between the two countries, as well as facilitate the movement of people and goods. The UAE is Nigeria’s largest export destination in the Middle East, with a trade volume of $1.4 billion in 2019. The UAE is also home to a large Nigerian diaspora community, estimated at over 50,000 people.
The deal also reflects the UAE’s new approach to regional diplomacy under its newly elected president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who took over from his late half-brother Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in May 2022. Sheikh Mohamed has been pursuing a more pragmatic and conciliatory policy towards Iran and Turkey, as well as seeking to expand the UAE’s influence and partnerships in Africa.
The Nigerian president praised his UAE counterpart for his vision and leadership, and expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality he received during his visit. He said that Nigeria and the UAE share common values and interests, and that he looks forward to working together to advance peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.
