The Nation Newspaper

Tag: United Arab Emirates (UAE)

  • UAE, Nigeria deepen ties as trade, investment rise

    UAE, Nigeria deepen ties as trade, investment rise

    Economic and diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have continued to blossom, with both countries strengthening trade ties and investment cooperation in recent years.

    Since the establishment of the UAE Consulate General in Lagos in 2019, the relationship between the two countries has recorded steady growth across several key sectors, including commerce, infrastructure, culture, and security.

    Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has increasingly become a strategic hub for UAE investments in West Africa, while the UAE maintains its position as one of Nigeria’s most significant trading partners in the Gulf region.

    Data from both countries show that non-oil trade between Nigeria and the UAE stood at about $2.4 billion in 2022, with Nigeria exporting items such as gold, spices, and charcoal. In 2023, the UAE’s exports to Nigeria hit $1.61 billion, led by refined petroleum, automobiles, and broadcasting equipment.

    Officials say financial inflows between both nations have also surged, placing the UAE among Nigeria’s top sources of foreign direct investment.

    Regular bilateral visits and trade missions have played a pivotal role in expanding business interests. “The UAE’s relationship with Nigeria is one built on trust, shared vision, and mutual prosperity,” a representative of the UAE Consulate General in Lagos said. “We are committed to supporting initiatives that not only promote trade but also contribute to sustainable development and regional cooperation.”

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    To further boost economic engagement, the Dubai International Chamber recently launched its representative office in Lagos. The opening ceremony, which had in attendance Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, marked a major step in facilitating direct access for Emirati businesses eyeing the West African market.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu, while speaking at the event, described the UAE as “a vital economic partner” and expressed optimism that the presence of the Dubai Chamber would deepen commercial ties and open new windows of opportunity for Nigerian businesses.

    The Joint Committee on UAE–Nigeria Cooperation, which oversees bilateral agreements, has continued to drive initiatives around trade, justice, politics, culture, and security. The committee’s work, stakeholders say, has been instrumental in fostering mutual understanding and facilitating smooth implementation of accords reached by both countries.

    Also, the economic affairs division of the UAE Consulate General in Lagos has remained active in supporting programmes that align with Nigeria’s development priorities, including youth entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and digital innovation.

    A Lagos-based economist, Dr. Chinedu Anosike, noted that the UAE’s growing footprint in Nigeria was a “positive signal of investor confidence,” adding that “the sustained engagement between both countries points to a long-term strategic partnership that goes beyond oil and commerce.”

    Observers believe the expanding relationship between Nigeria and the UAE is not just about economics, but also about shared values and a common vision for inclusive development.

    “The UAE has shown remarkable commitment to fostering South-South cooperation,” said Mrs. Abiola Yusuf, a trade analyst. “Their investments in Nigeria signal a deep belief in the potential of our economy and the resilience of our people.”

    With enhanced collaboration in innovation, technology, education, and people-to-people exchanges on the horizon, stakeholders agree that the UAE–Nigeria alliance is poised for greater impact.

    As both nations chart the course for the future, analysts say the flourishing relationship stands as a model for regional integration between the Gulf and West Africa.

  • Alake pushes for trade expansion between Nigeria, UAE

    Alake pushes for trade expansion between Nigeria, UAE

    SOLID Minerals Development Minister Dr. Dele Alake is pushing for enhanced trade relations between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with emphasis on solid minerals.

    In a statement yesterday, his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori quoted the minister to have made the case while hosting the United Arab Emirate (UAE) Ambassador to the country, Ambassador Salem Shaeed Al Shamsi, in his Abuja office.

    Reflecting on the historical significance of the over 50-year robust relationship between the two nations, Alake stressed the need to deepen the ties through expanded trade in the mining sector.

    The statement reads: “In the mining sector, we see significant opportunities for collaboration. While there is considerable trade in gold, much of it remains illegal, with a large portion of Nigerian gold ending up in the UAE unlawfully. We propose working together to develop strategies to curb illegal gold trade and establish a regulatory framework that legitimizes this trade, allowing both countries to maximize their benefits.”

    Alake highlighted Nigeria’s wealth of globally sought-after minerals and noted that the UAE, as a major hub for mineral trade, stands to gain from a strengthened partnership in the mining sector.

    The minister also expressed interest in partnering with the UAE on technology transfer to advance Nigeria’s mining sector.

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    Ambassador Al Shamsi affirmed the UAE’s commitment to reinforcing its longstanding relationship with Nigeria, citing the recent resolution of visa restrictions and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UAE companies and Nigeria via the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF).

    He said: “The lifting of visa application restrictions and the launch of a new visa application website demonstrate my country’s dedication to advancing bilateral relations.”

     The envoy also announced an upcoming Nigeria-UAE economic forum set to take place in Nigeria, featuring participation by 30 to 35 major companies from the Middle East and UAE, aimed at boosting Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Nigeria.

    To address illegal mineral trade and promote legitimate commerce, both nations agreed to establish a technical committee to explore collaboration strategies.

  • Emirates tackles AON on subsidy claims

    UNITED Arab Emirates (UAE) carrier, Emirates, on Monday faulted the claim of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) that it enjoys subsidies from the Federal Government and therefore in unfair competition.

    In a statement, the carrier said the allegations are patently false, adding that it had repeatedly debunked these myths over the years.

    It also clarified the status of its flight frequency into Nigeria saying it only operates daily flights into Lagos and Abuja Airports respectively.

    It said it was not granted any increase in flight frequency into Abuja as claimed by AON but an arrangement to cater to the needs of passengers travelling for Hajj.

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    “Some detractors like to claim that Emirates receives government subsidies and therefore represent unfair competition. These allegations are patently false, and we have repeatedly debunked these myths over the years. Our audited financial reports for the past 20 years are published on our website for anyone to inspect.

    “Emirates has always been run on a commercial basis. In fact, our success is driven by the very fact that we must stand on our own feet which means we must keep winning over customers with the best possible services, while closely watching our costs so that we can return a profit to our shareholder,” it said.

    It said its double daily flight from Lagos to Dubai and the single daily flight from Abuja to Dubai only took effect in July 27 and will run till August 22  in response to demand for Hajj.

    It said: “Emirates would like to clarify that we have not increased scheduled flight services to Abuja or Lagos.”

  • Suspected UAE spy commits suicide in Istanbul prison

    One of two detainees held by Turkey on suspicion of spying for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has committed suicide in the prison, a justice ministry official on Monday said.

    The two suspects were arrested on April 19 and confessed to spying on Arab nationals, a senior Turkish official said at the time.

    Turkey was investigating whether the arrival in the country of one of them was related to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

    The justice ministry official said that the suspect hung himself but did not provide further details.

    One of the two men arrived in Turkey in October 2018, days after Khashoggi was murdered inside Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, the official said at the time of their detention.

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    The official added that the other had arrived later to help his colleague with the workload.

    The two men were charged with international, political and military espionage and sent to Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, according to state-owned Anadolu news agency.

    Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed in the consulate on Oct. 2 by a team of Saudi operatives, provoking an international outcry.

    NAN

  • Maradona sacked at UAE’s Fujairah SC

    Argentine football legend Diego Maradona was sacked at United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) first division club Fujairah SC on Friday, his lawyer Matias Morla confirmed on Saturday.

    After Fujairah SC failed to gain automatic promotion to the Arabian Gulf League ( AGL ) on Friday, Maradona lost his job at the UAE league.

    Fujairah SC had a 1-1 draw with Khorfakkan in their last domestic league match of the season, which meant that Maradona’s team landed third in the UAE table and therefore missed the chance of direct entry into the Arabian Gulf League, reported Dubai’s daily Sports 360 degrees.

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    However, Fujairah SC still has an opportunity to reach the AGL if they can beat AGL bottom club Hatta in a two-legged playoff next month scheduled on May 9 and May 13, according to the Abu Dhabi daily The National.

    The 57-year-old Argentinean took over the UAE’s club in May 2017. He also coached Dubai’s Al Wasl soccer club from May 2011 to July 2012.

    NAN

  • UAE accuses Qatari fighter jets of intercepting civilian flight

    UAE accuses Qatari fighter jets of intercepting civilian flight

    The United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) on Monday accused Qatari fighter jets of intercepting an Emirati civilian aircraft during a routine flight to Bahrain, state news agency WAM reported.

    The UAE condemned the alleged incident and said it would take all necessary legal measures to ensure the security of civilian air traffic.

    On July 27, 2017, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates broke off relations with Qatar in the worst diplomatic crisis to hit Gulf Arab states in decades.

    The three Gulf countries and Egypt accused Qatar of supporting terrorism and destabilizing the region.

    Qatar, which shares its only land border with Saudi Arabia, has rejected the accusations, calling them “unjustified” and “baseless.” Yemen and the Maldives also cut ties with Qatar.

    Qatari citizens were given 14 days to leave Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, and those countries also banned their own citizens from entering Qatar.

    Gulf allies have repeatedly criticized Qatar for alleged support of the Muslim Brotherhood, a nearly 100-year-old Islamist group considered a terrorist organization by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

    The UAE accused Qatar of “funding and hosting” the group in its statement announcing the severance of ties.

    It also cited Qatar’s “ongoing policies that rattle the security and sovereignty of the region as well as its manipulation and evasion of its commitments and treaties” as the reason for its actions.

    Saudi Arabia accused Qatar in its statement of “adopting” groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood.
    Qatar denies that it funds or supports extremist groups.

    Reuters/NAN

  • Aisha Buhari partners Noor Dubai Foundation over visual healthcare 

    Aisha Buhari partners Noor Dubai Foundation over visual healthcare 

    To accelerate access to visual healthcare in Nigeria, the Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has secured partnership with a United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Noor Dubai Foundation to launch a four-year eye treatment and prevention programme in Nigeria.

    The partnership was sealed at Dubai (UAE) before officials of the Foundation and Dubai Health Authority, with Mrs. Buhari representing her Foundation, the Aisha Buhari Foundation and Humaid Al Qutami representing Noor Dubai Foundation.

    A statement by Suleiman Haruna Director of Information to Wife of the President, said that Mrs. Buhari’s regular health screening exercises conducted by Her Future Assured Programme across the country provided checks for visual acuity, referral and glasses where necessary, with an average 2000 glasses provided for each outing and many Nigerians who could not afford glasses and could have lost their eyesight, have been salvaged.

    She stated that this initiative will expand the number of beneficiaries and change many lives in Nigeria.

    Mrs. Buhari expressed happiness over the partnership, because, as she said, it will directly impact on Nigerian government’s strategy on visual impairment.

    Chairman of the Board and Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, and Chairman of Noor Dubai Foundation, Humaid Al Qutami, said that the foundation has so far benefited 25 million people around the world through its humanitarian and medical preventive and treatment programmes since its inception in 2008.

    He said that by expanding their reach in Nigeria, “Noor Dubai Foundation has proven to be one of the world’s leading philanthropic foundations in the field of visual impairment through providing treatment and prevention services that are based on state-of-the-art technology and international standards”.

    Dubai Noor Foundation was recently in Kaduna where they screened 5000 patients, gave glasses to 1200 and conducted surgery for over 470 people.

    Al Qutami announced that the implementation of the first medical programme specializing in eye diseases in Nigeria will begin next year.

    As part of the programme, Noor Dubai Foundation aims to conduct more than 18 thousand eye surgeries, screen more than 70,000 people suspected to suffer from eye disease and 4000 who suffer from visual impairment and raise awareness about ocular impartment diseases and prevention among more than 1.5 million Nigerians.

  • Dubai airport records sharp rise in passenger traffic

    Dubai airport records sharp rise in passenger traffic

    Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest civil aviation hub, said on Tuesday that it recorded its busiest month in August, United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) State News Agency, WAM, reported.

    Monthly statistics showed that passenger numbers in August totalled 8.23 million compared to 7.23 million passengers in 2016, this represents a 6.6 per cent year-on-year increase.

    South America was the fastest expanding market with traffic surging 27.4 per cent, followed by Asia at 21.9 per cent and Eastern Europe at 18.8 per cent.

    Moreover, the Dubai International Airport welcomed 59.35 million passengers during the eight and seventh months of the year, a 6.3 per cent increase compared to 55.85 million passengers of 2016.

    In terms of passenger volumes, India remained the top destination country with 1,044,730 passengers in August, followed by Britain (611,254 passengers) and Saudi Arabia (610,434 passengers).

    London was the top destination city with 377,130 passengers, followed closely by Kuwait City (284,151 passengers) and Mumbai (211,564 passengers).

    Meanwhile, freight volumes surged to 221,508 tons in August, up 10.1 per cent from 201,100 tons in 2016.

    “We are very pleased with the way things are shaping up this year, not only in terms of growth, which has been robust with passenger numbers exceeding the 8-million mark three times: in January, July and August,’’ said Paul Griffiths, chief executive officer of Dubai Airports.

    DXB has also succeeded in enhancing the airport experience with initiatives such as the launch of the “world’s fastest free airport Wi-Fi’’ and the implementation of the streaming entertainment service ICFlix, he added.

  • Eid celebration: 803 prisoners pardoned by UAE president

    Eid celebration: 803 prisoners pardoned by UAE president

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) president has ordered the release of 803 prisoners on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, the Islamic feast of sacrifice.

    UAE state news agency WAM reported on Monday that President, Khalifa Al-Nahyan has ordered the release of 803 prisoners on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, who had been sentenced to various jail terms for a variety of offences.

    Khalifa pledged to settle the financial obligations of the released prisoners.

    The pardon comes within the framework of the keenness of the UAE president to give the pardoned prisoners a chance to start a new life, and alleviate the suffering of their families, said WAM.

    Eid Al-Adha is to be observed in the Islamic world this year on Friday.

    Heads of state and monarchs in the Arab, regularly pardon prisoners on the occasion of Islamic feasts.

  • 3rd Dubai fire in days forces evacuation of hotel

    3rd Dubai fire in days forces evacuation of hotel

    A small fire broke out a Dubai hotel on Monday, forcing guests and staff to leave, in the third such blaze in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) tourism and trade hub in less than a week.

    Several fire engines and an ambulance were deployed at the Movenpick hotel near the Marina district as scores of people gathered outside.

    A video of the hotel posted on social media showed thin clouds of smoke wafting around a lower floor.

    The hotel said on its official Twitter account that the fire was “swiftly brought under control and guests and staff were safely evacuated.”

    Civil defense workers gave the all-clear for people to return inside and there were no reports of injuries.

    A blaze shot up the side of a nearby residential tower on Friday, and local media reported that a smaller fire was quickly put out at a neighboring building on Sunday.

    No injuries were reported in either of those fires.

    The series of fires in tall buildings in the UAE has revived questions about the safety of cladding materials used in the Gulf region and beyond.

    NAN reports that in January, Dubai passed new fire safety rules requiring buildings with quick-burning side paneling to replace it with more fire-resistant siding.

    Authorities have previously acknowledged that at least 30,000 buildings across the UAE have cladding or paneling that safety experts have said accelerates the rapid spread of fires.

    While the new regulations are now in place for construction in Dubai and other cities, it’s unclear how authorities will force owners to replace flammable siding with better material.