Lagos, Nigeria – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted its 21-month visa ban on Nigerian passport holders. The move comes after months of negotiations between the two countries, resolving a tense standoff that disrupted travel and trade.
Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, announced the positive outcome on Monday. He attributed the resolution to “mutually beneficial discussions” between the governments. While the ban is lifted, new protocols will be implemented. Nigerian visa applicants will now be required to undergo a digital verification process, which involves submitting documents for identity and travel history verification. This system generates a unique number that becomes part of the visa application. Notably, this verification step is not required for applicants under 13 years old.
The news marks a welcome end to the friction that had strained relations between the two nations. Prior to the ban, the UAE cited concerns about improper conduct and visa irregularities among some Nigerian travelers. The situation escalated with Nigeria reducing Emirates Airlines’ flights from 21 weekly to just one. This move was seen in retaliation for the UAE’s refusal to grant Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, its requested three weekly flights to Dubai, approving only one.
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, who took office in May 2023, played a key role in resolving the impasse. His meetings with Emirati officials, including President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, paved the way for a more constructive dialogue.
This week’s visa ban lift coincides with Emirates’ announcement from May, which confirmed the resumption of daily flights between Lagos and Dubai starting in October 2024. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the “traditionally popular” Lagos-Dubai route and emphasized the “more than 300 tonnes” of weekly cargo capacity offered on these flights.
The dispute originated from a combination of factors. Issues surrounding flight frequencies for Air Peace and the repatriation of funds owed to Emirates trapped in Nigeria’s Central Bank contributed to the tension. Air Peace’s request for three weekly flights to Sharjah Airport was granted only partially, with the UAE authorities citing the airline’s prior withdrawal from the airport as a reason for limiting frequencies. Air Peace contested this claim. Consequently, Nigeria retaliated by reducing Emirates’ flight slots, prompting the airline to suspend operations entirely.
