Why Tinubu Is Going To UAE After G20 Summit In India

Why Tinubu Is Going To UAE After G20 Summit In India

President Bola Tinubu is set to engage with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order to find a resolution to the ongoing diplomatic discord with Nigeria.

In October 2022, UAE authorities imposed a visa ban on Nigerians, shortly after suspending flights. Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, which also operated flights to Dubai, suspended its services as the UAE ceased issuing visas to prospective travelers.

Emirates had halted its flights to Nigeria due to challenges repatriating funds.

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During a meeting with Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Nigeria at Aso Rock last month, the President directed for issues impacting relations with Emirates Airline and visa issuance to Nigerians to be addressed “immediately”. He emphasized his readiness to “personally” intervene.

“We are a family with the UAE, we only live in separate rooms, but we are in the same house. We should look at the issues as a family problem, and resolve it amicably. As you know in every family, there are peculiarities. You can have an erring son, or daughter, but we must work together. We need to agree on core aviation and immigration issues,” the President had stated.

On Sunday, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Presidential spokesman, announced that Tinubu would engage with UAE authorities over the matter.

“President Bola Tinubu will meet with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during a technical stopover in Abu Dhabi, UAE, after the President’s departure from New Delhi, India.”

“The meeting will serve as a follow-up discussion to address specific, salient issues within the bilateral relationship after conversations held during a recent visit by the UAE Ambassador to the President at the State House in Abuja.

“The President is maximizing the opportunity of the stopover to equally advance his investment promotion objectives with high-level authorities in the public and private sectors of the United Arab Emirates.

“Following a successful investment drive on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit, active participation in the G-20 Summit, and a productive stopover in the UAE, the President is expected to return to Abuja immediately following the bilateral engagement.”