Contrary to recent reports indicating the lifting of the visa ban on Nigeria by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the presidency has clarified that the ban remains in effect. 

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, refuted the claims attributed to him, asserting that the visa ban on Nigerians by the UAE has not been lifted.

In a statement shared on his official handle, Onanuga emphasized, “UAE has not resumed visa issuance to Nigerians. The document in circulation is not authorised either by the Nigerian government or the UAE.”

The UAE had initially imposed the visa ban on Nigeria and citizens from 19 other African countries in October 2022. This ban prompted the UAE authorities to instruct travel agents and trade partners to reject all visa applications from affected countries.

Since the imposition of the ban, both Nigeria and the UAE have been embroiled in diplomatic discussions aimed at resolving the travel restrictions.