“Wait for the announcement” — Festus Keyamo

The Nigerian government has confirmed that the visa ban restricting travelers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to be lifted in the near future, as disclosed by Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo.

In a 44-minute interview with Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, Otega Ogra, published on the official YouTube page of the State House, Keyamo revealed significant progress in resolving the travel restriction issue.

He attributed the breakthrough to a high-level meeting between President Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during Tinubu’s visit to the UAE in September 2023.

“We have done everything. We have resolved everything. Just wait for the announcement from the UAE government, and that announcement is imminent,” Keyamo assured Nigerians during the interview.

Keyamo emphasized that President Tinubu’s intervention facilitated the resolution process, paving the way for the Nigerian government to complete all necessary procedures.

He noted that while aware of the specific date for lifting the ban, it remains contingent upon the UAE government to make the official announcement.

The imminent lifting of the visa ban comes as a relief to many Nigerians and businesses affected by the travel restrictions.

For now, stakeholders and travelers alike await the eagerly anticipated announcement from the UAE government regarding the lifting of the travel ban, which is poised to facilitate smoother and more accessible travel between Nigeria and the UAE in the near future.