Faith Nyasuguta
The President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has accepted an invitation from Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu to visit the West African nation. The announcement was made by Nigeria’s presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu recently traveled to Abu Dhabi to attend Sustainability Week, a forum focused on energy, climate change, and cooperation. He was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Finance Minister Wale Edun, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
On the UAE side, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was joined by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
During their discussions, Sheikh Mohamed expressed his appreciation for Tinubu’s visit and reiterated his commitment to strengthening the relationship between the UAE and Nigeria. Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s readiness for investment, citing economic reforms implemented under his administration. Onanuga highlighted Tinubu’s call for UAE collaboration in fostering economic development in Nigeria.
Tinubu’s Past Efforts
This visit builds on Tinubu’s diplomatic efforts to address key issues with the UAE. Last year, he visited Sheikh Mohamed to resolve a visa restriction affecting Nigerians. The restriction, introduced in October 2022, had also impacted several other African countries.
Following Tinubu’s diplomatic intervention, reports indicated that the UAE would ease its visa restrictions, allowing Nigerians to travel to the Gulf nation beginning July 15, 2024. However, skepticism persisted among Nigerians, as a similar announcement in September 2023 failed to materialize despite promises made during a diplomatic meeting.
Many Nigerians voiced frustration over the high costs of the visa application process and questioned the transparency of the agreements. While the recent development offers hope for improved relations, public trust remains fragile.
The UAE president’s forthcoming visit to Nigeria is expected to solidify partnerships and potentially address lingering concerns about bilateral ties. Observers are optimistic that the collaboration could yield tangible benefits for both nations.
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