Read Details As Presidency Speaks On UAE Lifting Visa Ban On Nigerians

The Presidency has denied media reports that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted the ban on visa services for Nigerians.

This is following earlier reports that the UAE had announced the restoration of visa services for Nigerians, confirming that they can now visit the country again.

Reports stated that the restoration of visa services was announced in a joint statement by the federal government of Nigeria and the UAE titled “Resumption of Visa Services for Nigerians Travelling to the UAE, ” dated March 4, 2024.

The statement noted that the achievement follows the discussions between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

The statement disclosed that the commencement of visa issuance, which resumed on March 4, 2024, is a milestone, reflecting the successful outcome of in-depth talks between the two nations.

Read Details As Presidency Speaks On UAE Lifting Visa Ban On Nigerians

But in a post via his official X handle on Tuesday evening, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, refuted the reports, saying that UAE has not resumed visa issuance to Nigerians.

The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy said the document in circulation is not authorized either by the Nigerian or the UAE governments.

He wrote: “UAE has not resumed visa issuance to Nigerians. The document in circulation is not authorized either by the Nigerian government or the UAE.”

Meanwhile, recall that the UAE had in October 2022 banned Nigerians and citizens from 19 other African countries from entering its borders.

Following the move, the country’s authorities issued a notice to travel agents and trade partners to reject all applications.

Owing to the ban, both countries’ authorities have been in diplomatic logjam about travel restrictions.