Osita Chidoka, who served as Nigeria’s Aviation Minister from July 2014 to April 2015, has criticized the return of Emirates Airlines to Nigeria.
Chidoka expressed his disapproval, stating that the airline disrespected Nigerians when it abruptly stopped its Lagos-Dubai flights in 2022. This decision was followed by the UAE imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians.
In a statement made on Wednesday, Chidoka said, “The audacity of Emirates Airlines to even consider returning to Nigeria reeks of contempt and disdain towards our nation.” He added that the actions of the UAE government and Emirates Airlines, including the visa ban and flight suspension, were a blatant attack on the dignity of Nigerians.
Emirates Airlines had halted its Dubai-Lagos flights in 2022 due to difficulties in repatriating funds from Nigeria amid a diplomatic dispute between the two countries. The long-standing issues between Nigeria and the UAE, including flight restrictions and visa bans, stem from unresolved matters related to the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
On May 16, 2024, Emirates Airlines reversed its decision and announced that it would resume flights to Nigeria starting October 1, 2024. However, the UAE has not yet officially lifted the visa ban on Nigerian travelers.
Chidoka argued that Emirates Airlines abandoned Nigerians during tough economic times. He praised African and European airlines for continuing their operations and showing solidarity with Nigeria. “All the African and European Airlines, equally owed by the Nigerian government, continued operating and weathered the storm with us as a people—a remarkable show of solidarity and a vote of confidence on a market they had enjoyed for decades,” he said.
He further criticized Emirates Airlines and the UAE government for imposing a visa ban on all Nigerians, calling it an unwarranted and aggressive act that dehumanized Nigerians.
