Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has extended his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his instrumental role in bringing an end to the long-standing diplomatic dispute between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The resolution, which was reached after a meeting between President Tinubu and Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, in Abu Dhabi, marks a significant turning point in the bilateral relationship.
The diplomatic feud between the two nations, which had been ongoing since 2021, primarily revolved around flight allocations and travel restrictions.
The UAE had taken the controversial step of banning airlines from carrying Nigerian passengers into the Emirates in December 2021, citing concerns related to the rising COVID-19 cases.
Before the travel ban, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) had sanctioned three weekly flight slots from Nigeria to Sharjah Airport, with only one slot allocated to Air Peace. In a retaliatory move, the Nigerian government drastically reduced Emirates’ slots from 21 to just one, leading to the suspension of all flights by the Dubai-based airline to Nigeria.
In another blow to bilateral relations, the UAE imposed a visa ban on Nigerians in October 2022 amid the ongoing diplomatic dispute. However, the situation took a positive turn this week as President Bola Tinubu’s diplomatic efforts bore fruit.
Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, issued a statement announcing the resolution of the dispute. Ngelale stated that as a result of the successful talks between President Tinubu and UAE President Al Nahyan, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to
“Immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria without any further delay.” This decision marks a significant step towards restoring normalcy in air travel between the two nations.
Festus Keyamo, known for his involvement in aviation and aerospace matters, took to social media to express his appreciation for President Tinubu’s pivotal role in the diplomatic breakthrough.
In a post on his official social media page, Keyamo wrote, “Special thanks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for personally leading our delegation to end this impasse with the UAE. All credit goes to him. His Midas touch during the discussion was crucial. He just made my job easier!”
Special thanks to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT for personally leading our delegation to end this impasse with the UAE. All credit goes to him. His Midas touch during the discussion was crucial. He just made my job easier! https://t.co/9H3kM1TGfK pic.twitter.com/M9YujOjDJB
— Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) September 11, 2023
The resolution of the diplomatic row is expected to have positive implications for both Nigerian travelers and the aviation industry, promoting increased connectivity and trade between Nigeria and the UAE.
This diplomatic success highlights the importance of effective diplomacy and dialogue in resolving complex international disputes.
