Emirates to resume operations in UAE on Oct 1, potentially lifting visa ban on Nigeria – The Sun Nigeria

Speculations are rife that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may soon lift the visa ban imposed on Nigeria, as Emirates, the country’s national carrier, has announced plans to resume services to Nigeria on October 1, 2024. This development comes after a 23-month suspension of operations by the airline.

While there has been no official statement released by either the UAE authorities or the Nigerian government regarding the visa ban, Emirates airline has confirmed on its website that it will be operating a daily service from Lagos starting October 1. The service will offer customers more choice and connectivity from Nigeria’s largest city to Dubai and beyond, using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, expressed excitement about the resumption of services to Nigeria, stating, “The Lagos-Dubai service has traditionally been popular with customers in Nigeria, and we hope to reconnect leisure and business travelers to Dubai and onwards to our network of over 140 destinations. We thank the Nigerian government for their partnership and support in re-establishing this route and look forward to welcoming passengers back onboard.”

The diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the UAE has been marred by controversies in recent years. In December 2021, the UAE restricted travel from Nigeria due to a reported surge in COVID-19 cases among Nigerian passengers. Additionally, a diplomatic row over flight frequencies between Air Peace and Dubai authorities further strained relations, leading to restrictions on flight allocations for Emirates.

In October 2022, the UAE imposed a visa ban on Nigerians and citizens of around 20 other African countries, citing security concerns. This move affected trade partners and travel agents, who were instructed to reject all visa applications from the affected countries. Subsequently, Emirates suspended flights into Nigeria in November 2022 due to difficulties repatriating $85 million in revenue trapped in the country.

Throughout 2023, conflicting reports emerged regarding the status of the visa ban. While there were rumors of the ban being lifted in September 2023, UAE officials denied these claims. As of May 17, 2024, Nigerians still require visas to enter the UAE, with no official confirmation of the ban being lifted.

However, with Emirates announcing the resumption of flights from Nigeria to Dubai starting October 1, there is speculation that the visa ban may be lifted by then to facilitate easier movement between the two countries. This development has sparked hope among travelers and businesses looking to reestablish connections and partnerships between Nigeria and the UAE.

As the October 1 resumption date approaches, all eyes will be on the UAE and Nigerian authorities for any official announcements regarding the visa ban. The potential lifting of the ban could signify a positive step towards strengthening diplomatic ties and promoting economic cooperation between the two nations.