Nigeria and the UAE's trade excluding oil reached $5 billion by 2025, according to a diplomatic representative.

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•Etihad Airways to begin Abuja operations, Abu Dhabi Bank opens Lagos office
By Favour Ulebor

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Abuja-The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, UAE, to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, has said non-oil trade between Nigeria and the UAE increased to $5 billion in 2025.

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In a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Magnus Eze, yesterday, the ministry said Al-Shamsi disclosed this during a visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Abuja.

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The ambassador said non-oil trade between both countries increased from $4.3 billion in 2024 to $5 billion in 2025, reflecting growing economic cooperation and business activities.

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He added that the volume of trade could rise to about $8 billion by 2027, if the current pace of engagement was sustained.

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He also noted that the First Abu Dhabi Bank, FAB, would soon commence operations in Lagos, a development expected to further strengthen business and investment ties between both countries.
The envoy further informed the minister that Etihad Airways would begin operations to Abuja later this year.

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Speaking on visa challenges, he said issues affecting Nigerian travellers had been significantly addressed, adding that Nigerians no longer faced visa rejections when applying to visit the UAE.

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He disclosed that more than 15,000 Nigerians travelled to the UAE within the last one year, following the easing of visa restrictions.

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Al-Shamsi also said the UAE remained committed to supporting Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, noting that his country has issued at least eight statements condemning terrorist attacks in Nigeria.

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The meeting also provided an opportunity for the ambassador to deliver a letter of congratulations from the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her appointment as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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Speaking during the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed satisfaction with the progress made in resolving visa-related concerns between both countries.

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The minister said: “I am happy to say that a lot of the issues raised when I was minister of state for foreign affairs, have been resolved in less than a year, especially regarding visas.

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“In addition, you have been able to move the non-oil trade volume between both countries from $4.3billion in 2024 to over $5billion in 2025. This shows your commitment and unrelenting effort in deepening our bilateral relations.”

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She said Nigeria remained committed to creating an enabling environment for foreign direct investment, including investments from UAE-based sovereign wealth funds and private sector entities.

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The minister also noted that both countries were working towards the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, CEPA, which they recently signed.

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According to her, the agreement will strengthen economic ties between both nations and create opportunities for businesses, professionals and workers.

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