- The Document Didn’t Emanate From The Nigerian Or UAE Governments-Onanuga
The Federal Government of Nigeria has denied reports making the rounds that the United Arab Emirates, UAE, has resumed visa issuance services for Nigerian citizens wishing to visit the country.
Earlier, reports had emerged that the Nigerian government and the UAE have resolved the row between both countries.
As such, the Arabian nation has lifted the visa restriction on Nigerian travellers and this took effect on March 4, 2024.
The report alluded that the Nigerian government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have resolved the diplomatic row between both countries and as such resumed processing of visa services for Nigerian citizens wishing to visit the country.
The statement also claimed that the commencement of visa issuance was a “milestone, reflecting the successful outcome of in-depth talks between the two nations and underscoring.
However, in a dramatic turn of event, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga on his X page said the document didn’t emanate from the Nigerian government.
“UAE has not resumed visa issuance to Nigerians. The document in circulation is not authorised either by the Nigerian government or the UAE,” he wrote.
However, Onanuga has come under scathing criticism for the statement with many blaming him for releasing the earlier statement and confusing Nigerians.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: UAE Resumes Visa Services For Nigerians
“This is highly frustrating! Get your house in order and stop confusing Nigerians for Allah’s sake” a user with the account handle, @hamoye4real wrote.
Another user, Olabode Olajide with the handle, Ọlacube HM called for the sack of Onanuga over the issue.
“If this is true, you should be relieved of your duty. This government is an instrument of propaganda and fake news. As a president’s spokesman or whatever title you hold, your messages are believed to be from the presidency, and you have brought this government to the mud. So where did you see the message you posted, and who authorised it? This is how sensitive mails get to the public” he wrote.
