In a recent development, 400 Nigerians have been deported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The deportees, consisting of 90 females and 310 males, were received by officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other relevant agencies.
The Nigerian government had previously repatriated 190 of its citizens from the UAE in July 2024.
The recent wave of deportations comes against the backdrop of ongoing diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the UAE, which began nearly two years ago when the UAE imposed a visa ban on Nigerians.
One of the key issues that exacerbated the strained relations involved Dubai-based Emirates Airline halting flights to Nigeria. The airline’s decision was a response to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s failure to remit $85 million in revenue to the UAE. This led to a protracted diplomatic standoff between the two nations.
In June 2024, after several rounds of negotiations, the Nigerian government reassured its citizens that the visa ban would soon be lifted. Additionally, the government announced that it had paid 98% of the $850 million owed to the UAE, signaling progress in resolving the issue.
Despite reports of both countries reaching an agreement to lift travel restrictions, the deportation of 400 Nigerians indicates that underlying diplomatic challenges remain.
However, in a positive step forward, the UAE government announced in July 2024 that it had lifted visa restrictions on Nigerians with immediate effect, a move seen as a potential turning point in their diplomatic relations.
