By Ranti Thomas
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)has announced that it will resume visa services for Nigerians.
According to the UAE authorities, the resumption was effective from March 4, 2024.
The latest development, it was gathered, is said to be the outcome of fruitful discussions between Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayad Al Nahyan.
This was disclosed via a statement posted on X by a presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday, 5 March, 2024.
However, the statement that contained the announcement highlighted mutual commitment to stronger diplomatic relations.
Part of the statement read: “The government of Nigeria and the government of the United Arab Emirates are delighted to announce a pivotal development in our diplomatic relations: the resumption of visa services for Nigerian citizens wishing to visit the UAE, commencing on 4th March 2024,”
Recall that the Arab country had imposed visa restrictions on Nigerians following developments it was not comfortable with. Before the ban, Dubai in the UAE was the tourist destination of Nigerians of all walks of life as many Nigerians owned a lot of property and businesses in Dubai.