Buhari Urges UAE President To Lift Blanket Visa Ban On Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday February 14, sends condolence message to the President of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan over the death of his mother-in-law, Sheikha Maryam Al Falasi.

VerseNews reports that Buhari while on a peaceful talk with Zayed Al Nahyan urged him to lift the blanket visa ban on Nigerians.

“I telephoned the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to offer condolences on the death of his mother-in-law, Sheikha Maryam Al Falasi. May her soul rest in perfect peace. I also urged him to lift the blanket visa ban by the UAE on Nigerians” Buahri wrote.

Buhari admitted that some Nigerians may be violating the laws of the UAE but said that was not enough to impose a blanket ban.

Buhari however, expressed readiness to apply necessary sanctions through appropriate judicial processes against persons who commit criminal acts in the UAE.

He urged that the issue be allowed to be handled by the relevant security/intelligence agencies of the two countries and to come up with lasting solutions to the problems associated with criminalities and illegalities.

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“Nigeria and the UAE have enjoyed excellent and beneficial relations for many years, including at the highest political levels. We can and must continue to iron out whatever issues arise between us.”

“We are mindful of the consular issues relating to the behaviour of some Nigerians in the UAE, and we will ensure the application of necessary sanctions, through appropriate judicial process, against anyone identified to have committed criminal acts in the UAE.”

“I also called for a resumption of suspended Nigerian operations of Emirates Airline. I assured Sheikh Mohamed that the fund repatriation issues that led to the suspension are receiving appropriate attention. We will make additional foreign exchange available for affected airlines” he added.

Recall that the UAE in October 2022 placed a ban on Nigeria which bars Nigerians from entering the country.