In a momentous development aimed at rectifying challenges stemming from his party’s previous administration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), finalized a historic agreement on Monday in Abu Dhabi. This groundbreaking accord promptly led to the removal of the visa ban imposed on Nigerian travelers.
Furthermore, as part of this bilateral understanding, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines have been given the green light to promptly recommence their flight schedules to and from Nigeria, with no immediate financial obligations placed on the Nigerian government.
Underlining President Tinubu’s diplomatic pursuit of economic development, a mutually agreed framework has been established to facilitate investments worth several billions of U.S. dollars into various sectors of the Nigerian economy. These investments, initiated by the UAE government’s investment arms, encompass areas such as defense and agriculture, among others.
Additionally, President Tinubu successfully negotiated the establishment of a joint foreign exchange liquidity program between the two governments, with comprehensive details set to be unveiled in the coming weeks.
While proponents of this agreement view it as a significant achievement, critics argue that it represents an attempt by President Tinubu to address issues created during his party’s and President Buhari’s tenure. A critic stated, “When APC came into power in 2015, Nigeria had a thriving bilateral air travel and diplomatic relationship with the UAE. APC should simply return Nigeria to where they met it.”
This historic agreement signifies a pivotal moment in the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the UAE, offering prospects for substantial economic growth and diplomatic collaboration in the near future.