Tinubu reveals gains of UAE engagement
President Bola Tinubu has revealed the gains of his engagement with the leader of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which include the latter lifting the visa ban on Nigerian travelers. Both leaders met in Abu Dhabi, after President Tinubu departed India, where he took part in the G-20 Summit.
Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s spokesperson, in his statement released on Monday, said that the UAE authorities equally signed off on the immediate resumption of Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines flight activities in Nigeria.
“As negotiated between the two Heads of State, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government,” Ngalale explained.
He added, “In recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals today presented by President Tinubu to his counterpart, an agreed framework has been established, which will involve several billions of U.S. dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defense, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.
“Additionally, President Tinubu is pleased to have successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two Governments, which will be announced in detail in the coming weeks.”
The President commended “the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his unalloyed friendship and his determined effort to join hands with him to fully normalize and reset to excellence, the standard of relations between the two important countries,” the presidential adviser stated.
