Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates have recorded bilateral non-oil trade of five billion dollars in 2025, up from 4.3 billion dollars in 2024, as the UAE’s largest financial institution, First Abu Dhabi Bank, prepares to establish operations in Lagos and Etihad Airways prepares to commence flights to Abuja, deepening what both governments described as a rapidly expanding strategic partnership.

The disclosures were made during a meeting in Abuja between Minister of Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and UAE Ambassador to Nigeria Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi. The ambassador projected that trade volumes could rise to approximately eight billion dollars by 2027.

Al-Shamsi announced a major breakthrough in travel relations, saying visa rejections for Nigerian nationals travelling to the UAE had effectively ended, with more than 15,000 Nigerians having visited the Gulf country over the past year following the easing of restrictions. He reaffirmed UAE support for Nigeria’s security efforts, saying the government had issued at least eight official statements condemning terrorist attacks in Nigeria.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said many issues she had raised during her earlier tenure as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs had been resolved within less than a year, particularly around visa accessibility. She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to attracting foreign direct investment from UAE-based sovereign wealth funds and private investors, and said the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed between both countries was a key pillar of future economic cooperation.

Al-Shamsi also delivered a congratulatory message from UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s appointment as foreign minister. She said the UAE deputy prime minister was the first foreign dignitary to personally congratulate her on the appointment, describing the gesture as a reflection of the strong relationship between the two nations.