Tinubu meets UAE officials to resolve visa issue; Dubai opens Nigeria office to promote trade

There are indications that the visa restrictions by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), may soon be resolved as President Bola Tinubu meets officials of the UAE, at the Presidential Villa, at the State House.

UAE officials are scheduled Thursday to meet with President Bola Tinubu after which official position will be released on the latest development on the visa row between the two countries.

Villa sources said ” We expect the UAE officials to make a statement on the issue shortly after meeting with President Bola Tinubu later today” .

Recall Yusuf Tiggar, the minister of foreign affairs, in September, assured that discussions were on between Nigeria and UAE, to resolve the visa and flights issues.

The Minister made the clarification after the UAE officials debunked reports that UAE had lifted the visa ban, following President Tinubu meeting with UAE’s President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi

In October, 2022, UAE had banned visa issuance to citizens from Nigeria and 19 other African countries leading to stoppage of flights between both countries, after Dubai’s Emirates airline suspended its operations in Nigeria citing trapped revenues.

Air Peace that was using the Nigerian BASA slot to UAE also pulled out of the route because of the visa ban.

Meanwhile, Dubai Chamber has opened its Lagos trade office in its Africa’s expansion drive. The chamber will explore the burgeoning business prospects in Nigeria and the broader West Africa region.

“As part of our efforts to further strengthen Dubai’s trade and economic ties with Nigeria, I am excited to announce that we are inaugurating our new international representative office here in Lagos today,” Mohammad Lootah, president and CEO of Dubai Chambers said during the inauguration of Dubai’s new international representative office in Lagos, today.

He said establishing a presence in Nigeria represents another significant milestone for the Dubai International Chamber, adding that the strategic move creates a vital platform for enhancing cross-border partnerships in one of Africa’s leading economies.

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“The launch of our Lagos office – which is the chamber’s seventh in Africa and 28th worldwide – opens new channels for communication and economic cooperation.

“Our team will work with local partners to strengthen Dubai’s robust commercial relationship with Nigeria, co-organise business matching and networking events, and ensure that companies and investors in both markets have access to all the support they need to navigate business opportunities and boost trade and investments,” the Dubai chamber president said.

Speaking also, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State governor, while giving his speech at the event, urged businesses and entrepreneurs to spread the news that, “Indeed, Dubai has found a home in Lagos, and Lagos is ready to give Dubai a space in their vibrant and big city.

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“Let’s take the opportunity that this has created to make a long-lasting, mutually beneficial business economic relationship that will outlive all of us here.

“Welcome again to Lagos, and I wish you all the very best.”