Doubts Over FG’s Claim on Deal With UAE Over Visas, Flights

By Adesina Soyooye

The joy and appreciation expressed by Nigerians  over the statement by Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, that President Bola Tinubu has struck a deal with the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to lift the Visa ban slammed on Nigerians and the resumption of flights between the two Countries may have been for nothing.

The UAE had, ten months ago, stopped the issuance of Visas to Nigerians, and stopped all flights between the two countries.

However, on Monday, September 11, 2023, the Presidency said that Tinubu, who stopped over at Abu Dhabi on his way from the G20 Summit held in India, has sorted the problem out with the Emirates Leader during a meeting, and, so,  the issuance of Visas and flight operations would resume immediately.

But on Tuesday, Nigerians woke up to the shocking news that the Presidential claim may have been a fluke, afterall.

Reason: In a statement issued by the UAE on the meeting between  its  President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahan and the Nigerian President, there was no mention, or acknowledgement that any such agreements were reached to lift the Visa ban imposed on Nigerians or the resumption of flight operations between Nigeria and UAE.

Emirates News Agency, the official news agency of the UAE,  in its report said that during the meeting, which held at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, Nahyan again congratulations Tinubu on  his Presidential victory, and wished him  success in leading Nigeria and its people to further progress and prosperity.

Following is the full statement issued by UAE:

“President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today met with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is on a working visit to the UAE.

“During the meeting, which took place at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed renewed his congratulations to Tinubu on assuming the presidency earlier this year, and wished him every success in leading Nigeria and its people to further progress and prosperity.

His Highness expressed his hope that the two leaders will work together to reinforce ties between the UAE and Nigeria for the benefit of both countries.

“The UAE President and Nigerian President explored opportunities for further bilateral collaboration in areas that serve both countries’ sustainable economic growth, including the economic, development, energy, and climate action fields.

“The two sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and international developments of interest.

“The meeting discussed the upcoming COP28 climate conference set to take place in the UAE later this year, with both parties stressing the vital importance of encouraging and enabling international cooperation to tackle global issues, including climate change.

“His Highness underscored the UAE’s ongoing commitment to fostering ties with countries that share the same aspirations for stability, sustainable growth, and development and prosperity for their people. He further emphasised the particular importance the UAE attaches to its relationship with Nigeria, within the framework of its strategic vision for relations with the African continent.

“The President of Nigeria expressed his pleasure to be visiting the UAE and affirmed his country’s keenness to further enhance bilateral cooperation to support sustainable development and progress in both countries.

“The meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court; Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; and Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

“The meeting was also attended by the delegation accompanying the Nigerian President, which included a number of ministers and high-ranking officials.”