President Buhari Seeks To Overturn UAE Visa Ban On Nigerians

President Buhari has urged the UAE government to lift the blanket restriction on Nigerians seeking to obtain visa.

The President made the call on Monday, February 13, while on the phone with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and concurrent Emir of Abu Dhabi.

The President called his UAE counterpart to offer condolences on the passing of his mother-in-law, Sheikha Maryam Al Falasi, according to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

During the call, significant issues of concern to both nations were discussed. Shehu claims that the President asked the emir to review the blanket visa ban put in place for Nigerians planning to travel to the UAE.

He noted that the two countries had had outstanding relations that were mutually beneficial for a long time, as shown by the strong economic exchanges and frequent talks on issues of mutual concern, including engagements at the highest political levels.

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The President stated that the “recent irritations” in the bilateral relations brought on by the conduct of some Nigerians in the UAE were being resolved on a consular level and added that no nation, including Nigeria, would tolerate criminal activity.

The President declared that the Nigerian government was prepared to impose the required penalties through the proper legal systems against anyone found to have committed crimes in the UAE.

He urged the relevant security/intelligence services of the two countries to tackle the situation and find long-term solutions to the issues brought on by crimes and illicit activities. Additionally, President Buhari asked that Emirates Airline’s halted operations in the nation be resumed.

Recall that in 2022, Emirates Airline decided to stop operating in Nigeria due to its difficulty to repatriate its funds that had become trapped here.

President Buhari assured the leader of the UAE that the Central Bank of Nigeria had been instructed to increase the amount of foreign currency allocated to the airline, adding that the issue with the Emirates funds was receiving the proper attention along with that of other foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.