The Federal Government has urged the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to review its visa restrictions on Nigerian travellers.
The appeal was made by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during the signing of an amended Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between both countries at the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025 in Dubai.
Keyamo said that easing visa requirements for Nigerians would significantly increase passenger traffic on designated routes, benefiting both countries’ economies.
“The current visa restrictions limit the potential for increased travel and economic exchange between our nations. A review of these conditions would unlock new opportunities for trade, tourism, and investment,” he stated.
In October 2020, the UAE introduced stricter visa requirements for Nigerians, citing concerns over illegal activities. In February 2021, the Middle Eastern country temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Nigerians.
In 2023, diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the UAE became strained due to visa restrictions and other issues, such as Emirates Airlines’ dispute over trapped funds in Nigeria.
In 2024, the UAE began easing some restrictions, allowing limited visa issuance for Nigerians but with stricter conditions, including higher fees and additional background checks.
Keyamo argued that addressing these barriers would not only boost passenger traffic but also strengthen collaboration in trade, tourism, and investment.
The call for easing visa requirements comes as Nigeria and the UAE solidify their aviation partnership through the amended BASA, which ensures reciprocal rights for airlines from both countries.
The agreement, signed by Keyamo and UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, aims to improve connectivity and codeshare and interlining opportunities for Nigerian carriers.
During the signing ceremony, Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri commended Keyamo’s efforts in advancing bilateral relations, stating, “Let me say this on camera now, the Nigeria Aviation Minister is a man who keeps his words, and for us, that’s everything.”
In addition to the BASA agreement, both countries agreed to sign a Technical Cooperation Agreement focused on capacity building and technical support in key aviation areas, including safety, regulatory compliance, and airport security.
THE SUN
