Keyamo Announces Upcoming Lift Of UAE Visa Ban On Nigerians

Keyamo Announces Upcoming Lift Of UAE Visa Ban On Nigerians

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

In 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 revealed that a resolution was reached between President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during President Tinubu’s visit to the UAE in September 2023.

Keyamo explained that although the UAE initially required additional processes before officially lifting the ban, the Nigerian government has now completed all necessary steps, paving the way for an imminent announcement from the UAE government.

“After that high-level meeting, Mr. President 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.

He also mentioned that while he knows the specific date when the travel restriction will be lifted, 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 and enhance bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.

The visa restrictions, imposed in 2022, affected Nigeria and about 20 other African countries, including Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Liberia, Burundi, Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Comoros, and the Dominican Republic.