President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has secured landmark deals with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while the visa ban on Nigerians has also been lifted.
Tinubu’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement said the president and the UAE ruler, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday met in Abu Dhabi to finalize the historic agreement which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers.
“Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay,” Ngelale said.
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.
Ngelale added that in recognition of Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals presented by the president to his counterpart, an agreed framework has been established.
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He said this newly-agreed framework will involve several billions of U.S. dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors.
The sectors include defense, agriculture and others and will be made 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,” Ngelale stated.
“In conclusion, the President wishes to commend 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.”