Nigeria lifts Emirates airlines ban

Nigeria has lifted the ban it placed on the world's biggest long-haul carrier operating flights into the country.

Emirates was banned from operating in the country after the United Arab Emirates stopped issuing visas to Nigerians.

But the Nigerian Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika tweeted that the UAE has written to say they will now issue Nigerians visas and so Emirates will be allowed to fly into Nigeria.

Last month, Nigeria reopened its international borders, after closing them to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

But it announced a tit-for-tat policy where the borders would remain closed to those who do not allow Nigerians in.

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 ????????????????????????????????????????

— Hadi Sirika (@hadisirika) September 30, 2020