FG Lifts Ban On Emirates Airlines As UAE Agrees To Issue Visas To Nigerians

The federal government of Nigeria has confirmed the conditional lifting of the ban imposed on Emirates Airlines from operating in the country.

The development was confirmed on Wednesday by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika who explained that the decision to lift the ban follows an agreement by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to issue visas to Nigerians.

The Minister explained that the decision to allow Emirates to fly again in Nigeria is premised on the commencement of visa issuance by the UAE government.

Below is Sidika’s statement as released on his Twitter handle.

“UAE has written to state that they agree to issue visas to Nigerians, consequently decision has been reached to allow Emirates to fly into Nigeria. Commencement of the Visa issuance is condition precedent. Please bear with this unusual situation. Many thanks”

UAE has written to state that they agree to issue visas to Nigerians, consequently decision has been reached to allow Emirates to fly into Nigeria. Commencement of the Visa issuance is condition precedent. Please bear with this unusual situation. Many thanks ??????????

— Hadi Sirika (@hadisirika) September 30, 2020

Naija News recalls the Federal Government had earlier barred Emirates Airlines from operating in Nigeria. This was made known in a post on Twitter on Friday 18th September by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

Sirika who said the decision was taken after a meeting between the Presidential Task Force and the European Union, added that the ban would take effect from Monday, September 21, 2020.

“The PTF sub-committee met today with EU Ambassadors to discuss Lufthansa, Air France/KLM ban. The meeting progressed well. Emirates Airlines’s situation was reviewed & they are consequently included in the list of those not approved, with effect from Monday the 21st September 2020,” he tweeted.

Recall that the federal government had earlier released a list of nine airlines granted approval to commence international flights the country.

Previously, there had been reports that Dubai authorities have reportedly rejected the application of Nigerians applying for a tourist visa to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Naija News understands that Dubai companies have also asked Nigerians not to apply for jobs in the Arab country.

It was gathered that this may be connected to the recent arrest of alleged internet scammer, Ramon Abba, popularly known as Ray Huspuppi, in Dubai.