In a determined effort to address challenges stemming from his party’s previous administration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have successfully concluded a historic agreement. This groundbreaking accord has led to the immediate removal of the visa ban that was imposed on Nigerian travelers.
Under the terms of this milestone agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are swiftly resuming their flight schedules to and from Nigeria, without requiring any immediate payment from the Nigerian government.
Highlighting President Tinubu’s commitment to economic development diplomacy and his proposals presented during the discussions, an agreed framework has been established. This framework outlines investments worth several billions of U.S. dollars into various sectors of the Nigerian economy, including defense and agriculture, by the investment arms of the UAE Government.
Moreover, President Tinubu has successfully negotiated a new joint foreign exchange liquidity program between the two governments, with detailed information set to be unveiled in the coming weeks.
While supporters of the president have hailed this agreement as a landmark achievement, critics have expressed concerns, viewing it as an attempt to address issues created during his party’s previous administration. One critic argued, “When APC came into power in 2015, Nigeria had a thriving bilateral air travel and diplomatic relationship with the UAE. APC should simply return Nigeria to where they met it.”
The agreement represents a significant step forward in Nigeria-UAE relations, holding the potential for substantial economic benefits and diplomatic progress in the near future.