The Nigerian government has resolved its diplomatic issues with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), leading to the reinstatement of visa services for Nigerian citizens.

Effective immediately, Nigerians can once again apply for visas to travel to the UAE, marking a significant breakthrough in the relations between the two nations.

This development follows a prolonged diplomatic standoff that resulted in the suspension of visa issuance to Nigerians.

The agreement also coincides with the announcement by Emirates Airlines to resume its daily Lagos-Dubai flights starting from October 1, 2024.

Emirates Airlines suspended its Dubai-Lagos flights in 2022 over its inability to repatriate trapped funds in Nigeria in the heat of the diplomatic fireworks between the two countries.

Nigeria and the UAE have a long history of restriction of flights between both countries based on certain unresolved issues surrounding the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA). Visa restrictions later surfaced as diplomatic fireworks continued between Nigeria and the UAE, which is a top destination for Nigerian migrants and tourists.

In September 2023, President Bola Tinubu met with UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi, to smoothen the rough edges in the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

More to come…