The Federal Government has reiterated that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has not lifted the visa ban imposed on Nigeria.

This statement came in response to circulating reports claiming that the Emirati authorities had lifted the visa restriction following discussions between President Bola Tinubu and UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, debunked the viral reports in an update on his social media page, stating: “UAE has not resumed visa issuance to Nigerians. The document in circulation is not authorized by either the Nigerian government or the UAE.”

The UAE implemented the visa ban in October 2022, affecting citizens from approximately 20 African nations, including Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Cameroon, Liberia, Burundi, Republic of Guinea, Gambia, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Comoros, and the Dominican Republic.