By Temitope Mustapha, Abuja
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have finalized a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers.
By this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.
These were made known in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale.
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The statement added that the immediate restoration of flight activities, through the two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government.
The two leaders have also agreed to a framework which will involve several billions of U.S. dollars, worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defence, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.
Good evening Nigerians – Home and abroad,
Today, in unity with my friend, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan @HHShkMohd , we have initiated a new era of collaboration and friendship between our nations – Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
We’ve also laid a… pic.twitter.com/LEKLnPj2UM
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) September 11, 2023
The statement added that “this is in recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals made on Monday,11th of September, as Presented by the Nigerian leader, President Tinubu to his counterpart.”
Furthermore, President Tinubu also successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two Governments, which will be announced in detail in the coming weeks.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU @officialABAT SECURES LANDMARK DEAL WITH UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ACROSS SECTORS; VISA BAN ON NIGERIAN TRAVELERS IS LIFTED IMMEDIATELY
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on… pic.twitter.com/YGq0HCcghY
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) September 11, 2023
The Nigerian leader however commended the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his unalloyed friendship and his determined effort to join hands with him to fully normalize and reset to excellence, the standard of relations between the two countries.
