President Bola Tinubu is set to engage in a diplomatic dialogue with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to seek a resolution to the ongoing diplomatic dispute between the two nations.
The rift between Nigeria and the UAE emerged in October 2022 when the UAE authorities imposed a visa ban on Nigerians.
Notably, Nigerian carrier, Air Peace also suspended its Dubai-bound flights in response to the UAE’s visa restrictions..
Recall that Emirates said it had suspended its flight to Nigeria over its inability to repatriate trapped funds.
In a recent meeting between President Tinubu and Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, held at Aso Rock, the President expressed a strong desire to resolve issues affecting relations with Emirates Airlines and the issuance of visas to Nigerians.
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He emphasized his willingness to personally intervene in the matter, underlining the close and familial ties between Nigeria and the UAE.
“We are a family with the UAE, we only live in separate rooms, but we are in the same house. We should look at the issues as a family problem, and resolve it amicably. As you know in every family, there are peculiarities. You can have an erring son, or daughter, but we must work together. We need to agree on core aviation and immigration issues,” the President had said.
On Sunday, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Presidential spokesman, announced that Tinubu would meet UAE authorities over the issue.
“President Bola Tinubu will meet with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during a technical stopover in Abu Dhabi, UAE, after the President’s departure from New Delhi, India.”
“The meeting will serve as a follow-up discussion to address specific, salient issues within the bilateral relationship after conversations held during a recent visit by the UAE Ambassador to the President at the State House in Abuja.
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“The President is maximizing the opportunity of the stopover to equally advance his investment promotion objectives with high-level authorities in the public and private sectors of the United Arab Emirates.
“Following a successful investment drive on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit, active participation in the G-20 Summit, and a productive stopover in the UAE, the President is expected to return to Abuja immediately following the bilateral engagement.”
