Travelers rejoice! Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached an agreement to reopen air travel between the two countries. This news comes after a nearly two-year hiatus caused by a dispute over trapped funds owed to international airlines.
The announcement was made by Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, on Monday. The deal signifies a significant step forward in diplomatic relations and will allow Nigerians to once again obtain visas for travel to the UAE.
The disruption in travel stemmed from the inability of Dubai’s Emirates Airline to repatriate funds from Nigeria in 2022. This issue led to the suspension of flights and a halt in visa issuance for Nigerians. However, Nigeria’s central bank successfully addressed the backlog, clearing approximately $137 million in foreign exchange owed to international airlines.
Minister Idris highlighted that the agreement includes “updated controls and conditions to facilitate obtaining a UAE visa,” suggesting a potentially streamlined process for Nigerian travelers. This is further bolstered by the prior announcement from Emirates Airlines in May, which confirmed the resumption of flights to Nigeria starting October 2024.
The renewed travel ties between Nigeria and the UAE are expected to benefit both nations. Nigerians will have access to new travel and business opportunities, while the UAE can anticipate a boost in tourism and economic activity.
