President Buhari has urged the UAE government to lift the blanket restriction on Nigerians receiving visas.
The President made the call on Monday, February 13, while on the phone with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and concurrent Emir of Abu Dhabi.
The President called his UAE counterpart to offer condolences on the passing of his mother-in-law, Sheikha Maryam Al Falasi, according to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu. During the call, significant issues of concern to both nations were discussed.
Shehu claims that the President asked the emir to examine the blanket visa ban put in place for Nigerians planning to travel to the UAE
He noted that the two countries had had outstanding relations that were mutually beneficial for a long time, as evidenced by the strong economic exchanges and frequent talks on issues of mutual concern, including engagements at the highest political levels.
The President stated that the “current irritations” in the bilateral relations brought on by the conduct of some Nigerians in the UAE were being resolved and added that no nation, including Nigeria, would tolerate criminal activity.
The President declared that the Nigerian government was prepared to impose the required penalties through the proper legal channels against anyone found to have committed crimes in the UAE.
He asked the relevant security/intelligence services of the two countries to tackle the situation and to find long-term solutions to the issues brought on by crimes and illicit activities. A restart of Emirates Airline’s halted operations in the nation was also urged by President Buhari.
Recall that in 2022, Emirates Airline decided to stop operating in Nigeria due to its difficulty to repatriate its funds that had become stranded there.
President Buhari assured the leader of the UAE that the Central Bank of Nigeria had been instructed to increase the amount of foreign currency allocated to the airline, adding that the issue with the Emirates funds was receiving the proper attention along with that of other foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.
