President Bola Tinubu meets with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a bid to resolve the diplomatic row between the two countries.
The Herald reports that the meeting, which is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi today, will focus on the Emirates Airline flight suspension to Nigeria, the visa ban on Nigerians, and other related issues.
The UAE imposed the visa ban on Nigerians in October 2022, shortly after Emirates Airlines suspended flights to Nigeria. The move was reportedly in response to Nigeria’s failure to repatriate billions of dollars in trapped funds.
The visa ban has had a significant impact on bilateral relations between the two countries. It has made it more difficult for Nigerians to travel to the UAE for business, education, and tourism.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management Festus Keyamo has joined President Tinubu in the UAE. Keyamo traveled to Abu Dhabi on Sunday night to meet with the President, who is on a stopover after attending the G20 summit in India.
Keyamo confirmed to The PUNCH that he is in Abu Dhabi to join Tinubu to discuss the diplomatic row with the UAE. He said that the two leaders will meet with UAE officials on Monday to try to resolve the issue.
“I am in Abu Dhabi to join Mr President to sort out the twin issues of Dubai visas and Emirates flights to Nigeria. Both leaders are meeting by 5 pm Today,” the minister said.