The United Arab Emirates has refuted a statement made by the Nigerian government that it has lifted the visa ban imposed on Nigerian travellers.
According to a CNN report on Friday, an unnamed official from the Gulf informed the media that the visa block placed on Nigerians in October of last year remains in effect.
Nigeria and 19 other African countries have been barred from entering the UAE. It did not, however, provide any other details.
“There are no changes on the Nigeria/UAE travel status so far,” CNN reported quoting sources who asked not to be named as they do not have permission to speak to reporters on the matter.
This disclaimer was released a few days after Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, announced that the UAE has lifted its visa requirement for citizens of Nigeria.
The decision, according to the presidency, was reached when President Bola Tinubu met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Many Nigerians, especially travel agencies who had hailed the development for tourists who had wanted to visit the dazzling city of Dubai in the Emirate, reacted to the news that made significant newspaper headlines.
