President Bola Tinubu has directed that issues affecting relations with the Emirates Airline, and issuance of visas to Nigerians should be “immediately’’ resolved.
The President gave the directive when he received the Ambassador of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, at the State House in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
Tinubu received Letters of Credence from Al-Shamsi and two envoys at the State House. The two other envoys are Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Awall Wagris Mohammed; and Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, Miriam Morales Palmero.
Nigeria and the UAE have a long history of restriction of flights between both countries based on certain unresolved issues surrounding the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA). Visa restrictions later surfaced as diplomatic fireworks continue between Nigeria and the UAE, which is a top destination for Nigerian migrants and tourists.
According to a statement by Tinubu’s spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the President emphasised that he stands prepared to “personally’’ intervene in the diplomatic row between Nigeria and the UAE.