By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Presidency on Tuesday said the agreement reached by the Federal Government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the lifting of Visa ban on Nigerians has not been finalised.
Presidential spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale in a statement said: “Given the agreement struck between the two Heads of State, there is need to allow cabinet officials from both sides to work out the finer details and finalize the cross-sectoral agreements. Everyone can now allow the process to work itself out organically, devoid of speculation.”
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu had met with Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, his UAE counterpart, to resolve the diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
After the meeting, the Presidency released a statement and said the meeting with the UAE authorities was fruitful.
According to Ngelale, the Visa ban was lifted immediately, while both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines were to immediately resume
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, have finalized a historic agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers.”
“As negotiated between the two Heads of State, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government,” he had said.
However in the statement by UAE authorities they did not make any reference to lifting of the ban during the meeting.
The latest statement by Ngelale seems to have clarified the confusion sorrounding the lifting of Visa ban for Nigerians.