THE Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said, on Wednesday, that the Federal Government had lifted the ban on Emirates Airlines’ operations in Nigeria.
Sirika said the United Arab Emirates had communicated its readiness to issue visas to Nigerians, adding that this informed the Federal Government’s decision.
Announcing the development on his Twitter handle, the minister said, “UAE has written to state that they agree to issue visas to Nigerians, consequently decision has been reached to allow Emirates to fly into Nigeria.
“Commencement of the Visa issuance is condition precedent. Please bear with this unusual situation. Many thanks.”
The Federal Governnent had, on September 18, announced the ban of Emirates flights to Nigeria.
According to the minister, it was necessary for Nigeria to implement the principle of reciprocity for countries that had banned flights from Nigeria.