Follow Us on Google
As Nigeria restates commitment to mutual diplomatic ties with UAE
From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, has disclosed that the non-oil trade volume between Nigeria and the UAE hit $5 billion in 2025.
This was even as the envoy said the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) would soon begin operation in Lagos, while Ethihad Airlines has concluded plans to begin flight operations in Abuja.
Al-Shamsi, while speaking when he was received in audience by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, applauded his country’s relationship with Nigeria, noting that non-oil trade between them grew from $4.3billion in 2024 to $5billion in 2025, while projecting that it may hit about $8billion in 2027.
The media aide to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Magnus Eze, in a statement, said the envoy disclosed that visa restrictions had been eased for Nigerians, explaining that there were no longer visa rejections for Nigeria nationals travelling to the UAE.
According to the envoy, more than 15,000 Nigerians had travelled to the UAE in the last one year.
He stated that his country stands firmly with Nigeria in its fight against terror and has issued at least eight statements till date condemning terrorist attacks in Nigeria.
“The meeting offered an opportunity for Ambassador Al-Shamsi to present a letter of congratulations on Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s assumption of office as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” Eze said.
In her remarks, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said both countries were working towards the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which they had signed, noting that it would transform economic ties between the two nations and deliver tangible benefits for Nigerian businesses, professionals and workers.
The minister also said that Nigeria remained firmly committed to creating an enabling environment for Foreign Direct Investment, including from UAE-based sovereign wealth funds and private sector entities.
Eze aded that she was gratified that through sustained dialogue and engagement, visa issues had been significantly addressed and over 15,000 Nigerians visited UAE after the easing of restrictions.
“I am happy to say that a lot of the issues raised when I was Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, have been resolved in less than a year, especially regarding visas.
“In addition, you have been able to move the non-oil trade volume between both countries from $4.3 billion in 2024 to over $5 billion in 2025. This shows your commitment and unrelenting effort in deepening our bilateral relations,” the minister said.
She also noted that the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister was the first to place a congratulatory call on her elevation by President Bola Tinubu to the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“I am so pleased to have received the call from His Highness, the Deputy Prime Minister and his prayers and encouragement to me. It was actually the first of such calls. He even extended an invitation for me to visit the UAE. This profound gesture is most sincerely appreciated.
“I am restating the commitment of Nigeria to mutual diplomatic ties with the UAE. We remain committed to working together to continue moving our bilateral relations from strength to strength,” she stated.
