FACT-CHECK: Did UAE Lifts Travel Ban on Nigerian Travellers?

On September 11, 2023, Federal Government of Nigeria posted on its verified X handle that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted the travelling ban on Nigerians.

 

This was contained in a piece titled: PRESIDENT TINUBU @officialABAT SECURES LANDMARK DEAL WITH UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ACROSS SECTORS; VISA BAN ON NIGERIAN TRAVELERS IS LIFTED IMMEDIATELY and was followed by splashing news of it, smearing the hearts of Nigerians.

 

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale wrote that “the President, Bola Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, have finalized a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers.

 

“Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.

 

“As negotiated between the two Heads of State, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government.”

 

Recalled that in October 2022, UAE imposed a visa ban on Nigerians after a diplomatic row.

 

Fact-checking the statement of the president on the visa ban being lifted, the PIJAlance found an article published by the UAE government regarding the visit of the President Bola Tinubu to the country. In the article translated from Arabic to English, no part detail the lifting of travel ban on Nigerian travellers.

 

The article was published on September 12, 2023 — a day after the Nigerian Presidency announced the victorious meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, leading to the lifting of travel ban on Nigerian travellers.

Key notes from the article:

1. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, received today – at the Beach Palace in Abu Dhabi – His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is on a working visit to the country.

 

2. His Highness welcomed the Nigerian President to the UAE and renewed his congratulations on assuming the presidency, wishing him success in his national duties.

 

3. His Highness expressed his aspiration to work together to push the relations of the two countries to broader horizons of cooperation to achieve their mutual interests.

 

4. During the meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation paths between the two countries and opportunities for their development in various fields, especially economic, sustainable development, energy, joint climate action, and other aspects that are consistent with efforts to achieve development in the two countries.

 

5. The meeting also touched on a number of regional and international issues and developments of common concern, and they exchanged views on them.

 

6. The meeting discussed the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which the UAE will host at the end of this year. In this context, the two sides stressed the importance of strengthening international cooperation in order to find effective and sustainable solutions to common global challenges, most notably accelerating climate action, sustainable development and prosperity. Economic to build a better future for all mankind.

 

7. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed the UAE’s continuous endeavor to expand the base of its relations with all friendly countries, which are based on the principles of mutual respect and joint cooperation that serve the aspirations of peoples for development and progress and to build a better future for future generations, dominated by stability and prosperity.

 

8. His Highness stressed the great importance that the UAE attaches to its relations with Nigeria within the framework of its strategic vision for the relationship with the African continent.

 

9. For his part, the President of Nigeria expressed his happiness at visiting the UAE, stressing his country’s keenness to develop joint cooperation with the UAE in various fields to support sustainable development efforts and progress in the two countries.

 

10. At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides also stressed the importance of building on the distinguished relations that bring together the two countries to enhance various aspects of cooperation between them in light of the promising capabilities and opportunities that the relations between the two countries have at the trade and investment levels and other sectors that are of interest to the two countries and serve their mutual interests.

 

11. The meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court, His Excellency Dr. Anwar bin Muhammad Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to His Highness the President of the State, and His Excellency Reem Bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation Affairs, His Excellency Suhail bin Muhammad Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, and His Excellency Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Manan Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

It was also attended by the delegation accompanying the Nigerian President, which includes a number of Nigerian ministers and senior officials.

 

Verdict:

Though, President Bola Tinubu met with the UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They discussed about economy, trade and investments between both countries and other aspects like cooperation. No part from the UAE discussion stretches that the travel ban has been lifted.

 

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