Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, has implored authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to ease the visa policy for Nigerians.

 

Keyamo spoke while signing an amended bilateral air service agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the UAE.

 

In a statement issued Tuesday, Tunde Moshood, Keyamo’s special adviser on media and communications, said the agreement was sealed during the ICAO global implementation support symposium (GISS) in a high-level meeting with Abdulla Al Marri, UAE’s minister of economy, in Abu Dhabi, Dubai.

 

According to the statement, the amended BASA ensures reciprocal rights for both countries and fosters deeper aviation collaboration.

 

Keyamo noted the importance of enhancing connectivity between Nigeria and the UAE, adding that easing the current conditions would increase passenger traffic on designated routes, benefiting both nations’ economies.

 

Al Marri acknowledged his commitment to advancing Nigeria-UAE aviation relations.

 

“Let me say this on camera now, the Nigeria aviation minister is a man who keeps his words and for us, that’s everything,” Moshood quoted the UAE minister as saying.

 

Both countries also agreed to sign a technical cooperation agreement focusing on capacity building and technical support in key aviation areas, including safety and regulation, environment, airport facilitation, and security.