President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to hold discussions with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates at 5 pm UAE time today.
The purpose of this meeting is to address the suspension of Emirates Airline flights to Nigeria, visa bans, and other diplomatic matters.
The Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Management, Festus Keyamo, made a trip to the Middle-East country on Sunday night to meet with President Tinubu, who had a stopover after attending the G20 summit in India.
In a conversation with our correspondent, Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed his travel and the planned meeting, which is set to take place at 5 pm today.
Keyamo stated, “I am in Abu Dhabi to join Mr. President in resolving the dual issues of Dubai visas and Emirates flights to Nigeria. Both leaders will meet today at 5 pm.”
The UAE had imposed a visa ban on Nigerians in October 2022, following the suspension of Emirates Airlines flights to Nigeria.
This move was reportedly in response to Nigeria’s failure to repatriate a substantial amount of funds.
Nigerian carrier Air Peace, which also operated flights to Dubai, had to suspend its services due to the UAE’s halt on visa issuance to prospective travelers.
During a recent meeting with UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, President Tinubu had directed that issues affecting relations with Emirates Airline and the issuance of visas to Nigerians be resolved immediately.
He emphasized the need to address these matters as a family and find amicable solutions, likening the relationship between Nigeria and the UAE to that of a family living under one roof.
On Sunday, Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale announced President Tinubu’s upcoming meeting with UAE authorities regarding these issues. Further details will be provided later.
