Close Menu
  • Home
  • News Update
  • Legal Updates
  • Free Legal Resources
  • Law News
  • More
    • Legal Articles & Commentaries
    • Recent Events
    • Promotions
    • About Us
    • S.C Report Online
    • S.C Report Printed Editions

Subscribe to receive Updates

Get the latest updates from us

What's Hot

Lagos court jails man for assaulting govt worker

June 14, 2025

Lagos High Court to Begin Annual Vacation July 21, Criminal Cases to Proceed

June 14, 2025

Lawyers escape contempt proceedings over fake citation cases – but set to face regulators

June 7, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Lawbreed Blog
Visit our Website
  • Home
  • News Update

    Lagos court jails man for assaulting govt worker

    June 14, 2025

    ‘Omo-onile’ now in trouble, risk 21yrs imprisonment in Ondo —Aiyedatiwa goes tough on land issues

    May 29, 2025

    ICPC secures conviction of Lagos civil servant for receiving double salaries

    May 29, 2025

    Naira abuse: Kano Tiktoker, Murja, sentenced to 6 months in jail

    May 29, 2025

    FCT High Court Slams EFCC For Breach of Applicant’s Fundamental Rights, Awards N2m Costs

    May 26, 2025
  • Legal Updates

    How to Process a Change of Name at the Supreme Court : Updated Requirements

    May 8, 2025

    What residents should know and do about Wike’s land policy to protect properties

    April 15, 2025

    EXPLAINER: What constitution says about emergency rule, governor’s suspension

    March 19, 2025

    The Implications of ChatGPT for Legal Services and Society

    March 13, 2023

    Abia Assembly Passes Bill Allowing Female Children Share in Parent’s Inheritance

    November 25, 2022
  • Free Legal Resources

    US court orders FBI, DEA to release records on Tinubu’s investigation (See UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MEMORANDUM OPINION)

    April 14, 2025

    Relief for Tinubu as U.S. judge denies Greenspan’s motion to fast-track confidential records disclosure by FBI, CIA, others

    October 24, 2023

    Nigeria wins $11bn P&ID case in UK court (Download Judgment)

    October 23, 2023

    Download: 12-hour marathon judgement delivered by the Presidential Election Petitions Court

    September 9, 2023

    (Download Judgment) It’s Unconstitutional, Unlawful For Minister To Deduct From Or Tamper With Financial Allocations To States — FHC Rules

    June 27, 2023
  • Law News

    Lagos High Court to Begin Annual Vacation July 21, Criminal Cases to Proceed

    June 14, 2025

    Lawyers escape contempt proceedings over fake citation cases – but set to face regulators

    June 7, 2025

    Lagos court remands a 75-year-old man and four others to Kirikiri jail for illegal waste disposal

    June 7, 2025

    Lawyers sue senators to refund salaries over poor performance

    May 29, 2025

    Kogi CJ signs new area Court rules

    May 26, 2025
  • More
    • Legal Articles & Commentaries
    • Recent Events
    • Promotions
    • About Us
    • S.C Report Online
    • S.C Report Printed Editions
Lawbreed Blog
Home»General Update»Flights and businesses resume as Nigeria and the UAE resolve their dispute.
General Update

Flights and businesses resume as Nigeria and the UAE resolve their dispute.

Lawbreed LimitedBy Lawbreed LimitedSeptember 12, 2023No Comments7 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
President-Bola-Ahmed-Tinubu-and-UAE-President-Mohamed-bin-Zayed-Al-Nahyan
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Following the resolution reached by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, flights and businesses are set to resume in full swing.

The announcement has elicited mixed reactions as stakeholders hailed the diplomatic engagement of President Tinubu and President Al Nahyan, which led to the suspension of the visa ban placed on Nigerians.

In what was described as a “historic agreement,” Tinubu was able to reach an agreement with his UAE counterpart to reinstate the Nigeria-UAE flights, which had been suspended since October last year.

According to the Presidential spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, by the historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines “Are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.”

Ngelale said, “As negotiated between the two heads of state, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government.

“In recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals today presented by President Tinubu to his counterpart, an agreed framework has been established, which will involve several billions of US dollars’ worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defence, agriculture, and others, by the investment arms of the government of the United Arab Emirates.

“Additionally, President Tinubu is pleased to have successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two governments, which will be announced in detail in the coming weeks.

“In conclusion, the president wishes to commend the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his unalloyed friendship and his determined effort to join hands with him to fully normalise and reset to excellence, the standard of relations between the two important countries.”

However, experts in the aviation industry added that while the president’s move was commendable, the interest of Nigerian carriers must be protected in restarting commercial flights between the two countries.

What went wrong in the past?

Most part of last year saw relations between both countries almost hitting the rock over several issues bordering on trapped funds, the rise in cult-related activities in UAE attributed to some Nigerians, as well as the refusal of UAE to grant Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier, slots to Dubai International Airport.

It would be recalled that the UAE authorities suspended visa issuance to Nigerians in October last year.

In a notice issued to its trade partners in Nigeria, including travel agents, the Dubai authorities said that “All Dubai applications submitted are now rejected”.

The UAE government said rejection notices would be sent in batches to applicants. It said the rejections “Are general for Nigerians and approvals are on hold at the moment”.

The development was coming about two weeks after Emirates, the UAE carrier suspended flights to Nigeria over trapped funds amounting to $85m at the time.

Our correspondent reports that the UAE carrier suspended its flights after failed efforts at getting its funds repatriated.

Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier operating in Dubai also suspended its flights. This was seven months after it resumed the same flights following resolutions of a diplomatic row between both countries over the initial denial of Air Peace frequencies in Dubai.

Earlier in the year, the Nigerian government wielded the biggest stick on the UAE carrier as the former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika restricted Emirates flight to one weekly frequency from 21 in retaliation over the denial of Air Peace requested slots in Dubai. The UAE authorities later rescinded the decision and granted seven frequencies to Air Peace while Emirates frequencies were also restored.

But the diplomatic row was worsened by the inability of Emirates to repatriate its funds, which was said to have triggered the visa ban.

Our correspondent reports that Nigeria is leading among countries with trapped funds with about $800m trapped funds.

Many businesses were affected by the ban as many Nigerian entrepreneurs who used to visit Dubai to procure good items had to look for other alternatives. Also, leisure travel was stalled.

Our correspondent also gathered that Emirates also laid off some Nigerian Aircraft Engineers providing services to the airline on a part-time basis.

Boom in businesses

But with the planned restart of flight operations, stakeholders are anticipating a boom in the trade relations between both countries in addition to providing more flight options for Nigerian travellers at a time the airfare has hit the rooftop.

Aviation analysts who spoke with our correspondent however said the interest of Nigerian Airlines must also be protected going forward.

Principal Managing Partner, Avaero Capital, Sindy Foster said, “Normally, when you negotiate, you put both sides’ issues on the table…Let’s hope the issue of Air Peace and BASA reciprocity was part of the negotiations, otherwise, we may be back to cat and mouse tactics again…”

On the issue of the trapped funds belonging to Emirates and other airlines, she said, “The issue of trapped funds is a recurring decimal. So, some assurances are likely to have been given before the stalemate was resolved. Until action to pay off or put a plan in place becomes a reality, this ‘peace accord’ is tenuous.”

She also stated that it might impact positively on airfares depending on the number of people traveling or transiting via the UAE.

“The biggest impact will be on traffic between Nigeria and UAE. Other countries benefited from the impasse. So traffic via Egypt and Morocco are likely to be reduced,” Foster added.

President of Aircraft Owners and Pilots’ Association, Capt. Alex Nwuba commended the step taken by the president to re-establish a relationship with both countries but added, “What is more important is what did we agree on in the relationship? Are we (Nigerian carriers) allowed to come as we allowed them to come?

He said what is more important is what happened to the Nigerian carriers, adding it would be counterproductive if Nigerian carriers were not allowed access to their markets as the UAE carriers have access to ours.

“It is surprising that nothing was said about that…But let’s wait and see what happens, it will tell a lot about our negotiating style,” he said.

Another analyst, Group Capt. John Ojikutu said while efforts are being made to clear the trapped funds belonging to Emirati Airlines, other airlines must also be considered.

“What is good for the goose is good for the gander. This should not be for Etihad and Emirates alone but for all the foreign airlines that got their repatriated funds trapped in the Nigerian banks.

“Government must have found out where the earnings the Nigeria service providers made in dollars from the foreign airlines got trapped outside the banks and the CBN,” he said.

From an international relations perspective, a Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Hassan Saliu in a chat with Daily Trust commended the president for the steps taken, describing his move as a plus to his administration. He said this would also result in a renewed business relationship with the UAE and called on Nigerian carriers to also rise up to the challenge.

Saliu expressed optimism that the interest of Nigerian carriers would have been addressed more so when the Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema was on the delegation of the president to India.

“What the president has done is a normal diplomatic relation and that is the apex when it cannot be handled at the ministerial level and that is Head of State to Head of State. To me, it is a plus for Tinubu.

“He went there to smoothen relations with UAE and that won’t be the first time. Buhari was also in UAE and he struck an agreement with UAE over the sponsors of Boko Haram in Nigeria,” he said.

He charged the Nigerian carriers to rise up to the occasion and participate actively in the competitive global aviation environment.

“We live in a competitive world where our airliners also need to aspire to international standards,” he said.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Lawbreed Limited
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Publishers of Judgments of The Supreme Court of Nigeria (S.C Report) - on the Authority of the Supreme Court of Nigeria

Related Posts

Lawyers escape contempt proceedings over fake citation cases – but set to face regulators

June 7, 2025

Elon Musk leaves White House but says Doge will continue

May 29, 2025

US court jails Nigerian for $1m scam

May 23, 2025

Comments are closed.

www.lawbreed.blog
DARK HEARTS by Layi Babatunde, SAN – CLICK TO BUY
Top Posts

Soyinka At UN: “Slave Trade Has Returned To Africa With One-Sided Ferocity”

March 26, 2025328 Views

Pope Francis dies at 88 – Vatican

April 21, 2025256 Views

Akpoti-Uduaghan charged with criminal defamation over assassination plot claim against Akpabio, Bello

May 23, 2025230 Views

US Supreme Court stops Trump from deporting migrants

April 21, 2025222 Views
QUALITY BOOKS & LAW REPORTS BREEDS QUALITY PRACTICE
https://lawbreed.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Law-Breed_x264.mp4
Don't Miss

Lagos court jails man for assaulting govt worker

News Update June 14, 2025

A 52-year-old man, Morufudeen Idowu, has been sentenced to three months in prison for assaulting…

Lagos High Court to Begin Annual Vacation July 21, Criminal Cases to Proceed

June 14, 2025

Lawyers escape contempt proceedings over fake citation cases – but set to face regulators

June 7, 2025

Lagos court remands a 75-year-old man and four others to Kirikiri jail for illegal waste disposal

June 7, 2025

Elon Musk leaves White House but says Doge will continue

May 29, 2025
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Subscribe to get Updates

Get the latest creative news delivered to your email. subscribe now

Supreme Court Report Online (My S.C Extra)
Our Picks

Lagos High Court to Begin Annual Vacation July 21, Criminal Cases to Proceed

June 14, 2025

Lawyers escape contempt proceedings over fake citation cases – but set to face regulators

June 7, 2025

Lagos court remands a 75-year-old man and four others to Kirikiri jail for illegal waste disposal

June 7, 2025

Elon Musk leaves White House but says Doge will continue

May 29, 2025
Don't Miss

Lagos court jails man for assaulting govt worker

News Update June 14, 2025

A 52-year-old man, Morufudeen Idowu, has been sentenced to three months in prison for assaulting…

Lagos High Court to Begin Annual Vacation July 21, Criminal Cases to Proceed

June 14, 2025

Lawyers escape contempt proceedings over fake citation cases – but set to face regulators

June 7, 2025

Lagos court remands a 75-year-old man and four others to Kirikiri jail for illegal waste disposal

June 7, 2025
About Us
About Us

Lawbreed Blog is owned by Lawbreed Limited, a full fledged Law publishing and marketing Private Limited Liability Company, incorporated under the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Email Us: mails@lawbreed.com
Contact: +2348077011730

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn WhatsApp
Tags
AMCON APC Atiku Bamise Bandits Bill BOSAN Bribe BRT Buhari BVAS CBN CJN Covid crime EFCC FEA feat FEATU featured FG FIRS Fraud INEC kano Labour Party metro Multichoice NBA New Naira Notes NICN NJC NUC o Old Naira Notes oransaye PEBEC Popular pwc SAN Shar'iah Tax Trending Twitter VAT
Most Popular

Soyinka At UN: “Slave Trade Has Returned To Africa With One-Sided Ferocity”

March 26, 2025328 Views

Pope Francis dies at 88 – Vatican

April 21, 2025256 Views

Akpoti-Uduaghan charged with criminal defamation over assassination plot claim against Akpabio, Bello

May 23, 2025230 Views

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.