Four hundred Nigerians who were recently deported from the UAE have arrived at Abuja Airport, marking a significant return of expatriates and raising questions about immigration policies and bilateral relations.

The Nigerian Television Authority has reported that a group of 400 Nigerians who were deported from the United Arab Emirates have arrived in Nigeria.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, officials from various organizations including the Office of National Security Adviser, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and National Emergency Management Agency warmly received the deportees. Other relevant stakeholders were also present during their arrival.

Nigeria has received 400 of its citizens who were deported from the United Arab Emirates, comprising of 310 males and 90 females.

According to a news post on X published on Wednesday, upon their arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, various key stakeholders including the National Security Adviser’s office as well as organizations such as the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP) and The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were present to receive them.

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Nigeria and the UAE have been enduring diplomatic tension for some time, owing to several disagreements; this culminated in the imposition of a visa ban on Nigerians by the UAE nearly two years ago.

Dubai’s Emirates Airline stopping flights to Nigeria arose due to the Central Bank of Nigeria failing to transfer an estimated $850 million in revenue owed to the UAE.

The Nigerian government made a commitment to its citizens in June, promising the lifting of the visa ban following numerous negotiations with UAE authorities. The announcement came at roughly the same time as news emerged that Nigeria had paid 98% of its outstanding debt totaling $850 million, demonstrating progress towards resolving their disagreement.

Amidst continuing diplomatic strains between the two countries, potentially stemming from undisclosed matters, this expulsion takes place. However, recent reports have suggested that Nigeria and its counterpart had previously struck a deal to ease travel restrictions for Nigerian citizens.

With immediate effect, the United Arab Emirates Government lifted visa restrictions on Nigerians as announced in July 2024.