President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to lift its blanket visa ban on Nigerians. 

In October 2022, the UAE authorities slammed a blanket visa ban on Nigerian travelers, excluding those with diplomatic passports. 

Mr Buhari made the appeal during a phone chat with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayad Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Tuesday.

Mr Buhari recalled that mutually beneficial relations have subsisted between the two nations over many years. 

This relationship is symbolised by robust economic interactions and regular consultations on matters of common interest, even at the highest political levels.

He assured the UAE leader that the issue of the Emirates funds was receiving appropriate attention alongside those of other foreign airlines operating in Nigeria. 

He added that the Central Bank had been directed to increase foreign exchange allocation to the airline.

Mr Buhari said the recent irritants in bilateral relations generated by consular issues relating to the behaviour of some Nigerians in the UAE were being ironed out. 

He explained that no country, including Nigeria, will condone criminalities and illegal behaviours.

The president asked that the issue be handled by relevant security and intelligence agencies of both countries and to come up with lasting solutions to the problems associated with criminalities and illegalities.

He, however, expressed the readiness of Nigeria to appropriate sanctions through the judicial process against any Nigerian who commits crime in the UAE.

Mr Buhari also requested a resumption of the suspended operations of Emirates Airline in the country.

Last year, the Emirates Airline suspended its operations in Nigeria in the wake of its inability to repatriate funds trapped within the country.