The Federal Government has secured an agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) permitting Nigerian passport holders to obtain visas for travel to the UAE starting July 15, 2024.

Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, announced this development on Monday during a briefing with State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

“Following successful talks and extensive, mutually beneficial negotiations between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an agreement was reached allowing for the resumption of travel to the UAE for Nigerian passport holders,” Idris stated. “This agreement includes updated controls and conditions to facilitate obtaining a UAE visa. The resumption of visas will be effective from July 15, 2024.”

He added that Nigerians seeking more information about the updated visa conditions could visit the UAE's official website.

This announcement comes over two years after the UAE suspended visa issuance to Nigerians due to a prolonged diplomatic dispute with Nigeria. It also follows the recent announcement by UAE national carrier Emirates Airlines, which will resume flights to Nigeria from October 1, 2024.

Emirates Airlines suspended its Dubai-Lagos flights in 2022 due to an inability to repatriate trapped funds in Nigeria amid the diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

The diplomatic friction between Nigeria and the UAE has a long history, including restrictions on flights between both countries over unresolved issues surrounding the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA). Visa restrictions subsequently emerged as the diplomatic disputes continued. The UAE is a popular destination for Nigerian migrants and tourists.

In September 2023, President Bola Tinubu met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi to address and resolve the diplomatic issues between the two countries.