The Nigerian Government has successfully repatriated 190 Nigerians from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to a statement by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), signed by its Director General, Director, North Central Zone, Bashir Garga, the returnees were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 5:57 am. A combined team of government officials, led by NEMA, oversaw their arrival.
NEMA reported that the returnees have been profiled and documented by the relevant agencies and sensitized to “behave with decorum and responsibility” upon their return to Nigeria. “The federal government urges all Nigerians, wherever they may be, to act as exemplary ambassadors of their country, upholding the fundamental values of patriotism, rule of law, decency, and integrity.”
It is worth recalling that in October 2022, the Federal Government repatriated a total of 542 Nigerians from the UAE.
Nigerians Can Obtain UAE Visas
In a related development, the Federal Government has reached an agreement with the UAE to allow Nigerian passport holders to obtain visas for travel to the UAE starting July 15, 2024. The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Monday during a briefing with State House correspondents following the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
“Following successful talks and extensive, mutually beneficial negotiations between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, an agreement was reached allowing for the resumption of travel to the UAE for Nigerian passport holders,” he said. “This agreement includes updated controls and conditions to facilitate obtaining a UAE visa. The resumption of visas will be effective from July 15, 2024.”
The minister added that Nigerians wishing to learn more about the updated visa conditions can visit the UAE’s official website. This announcement comes more than two years after the UAE suspended visa issuance to Nigerians following a period of diplomatic tension. It also follows the UAE national carrier Emirates Airlines’ announcement in May 2024 of the resumption of daily Lagos-Dubai flights starting from October 1, 2024.
