Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to remove tariffs on more than 13,000 categories of goods following the signing of a new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at deepening trade ties and expanding market access between both countries.

Under the agreement, Nigeria will eliminate tariffs on 6,243 products imported from the UAE, while the UAE will remove tariffs on 7,315 Nigerian products, opening significant opportunities for exporters, investors, and service providers on both sides.

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment disclosed the details on Tuesday in an official document outlining the scope of the agreement, which was signed in January 2026 as part of Nigeria’s broader economic diversification and non-oil export strategy.

According to the ministry, the pact is designed to improve access for Nigerian goods and professionals in the UAE market while also encouraging increased investment flows into Nigeria. It described the agreement as a key step in strengthening bilateral economic relations and positioning Nigeria more competitively in global trade.

For trade in goods, Nigeria has committed to immediately removing tariffs on 3,949 products, representing about 63 per cent of the items covered. Tariffs on an additional 2,294 products will be phased out over a five-year period. However, 123 products have been excluded from tariff liberalisation to protect sensitive domestic industries.

On its part, the UAE will immediately remove tariffs on 2,805 products, accounting for roughly 38 per cent of its commitments. Tariffs on 1,468 products will be eliminated within three years, while duties on another 3,042 products will be phased out over five years. The UAE also excluded or prohibited 593 products under the agreement.

The partnership agreement was signed on January 13, 2026, following negotiations led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, with support from the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria Customs Service. The document was signed by Oduwole and the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, in the presence of President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The ministry said the agreement is expected to deliver broad economic benefits, including expanded export opportunities, improved market access, increased foreign direct investment, and job creation, particularly for young Nigerians.

As part of the deal, the UAE market will be opened to a wide range of Nigerian agricultural and primary products. These include fish and seafood, cereals and milling products, oil seeds, live animals and meat products, fruits and nuts, cotton, raw hides and skins, and other animal products, with tariffs on many of these items removed immediately.

Tariffs on products such as cocoa and cocoa preparations, coffee, tea and spices, mineral fuels, wood and wood articles, precious stones and metals, as well as animal and vegetable fats and oils, will be removed gradually over a three- to five-year period.

For industrial and manufactured goods, the UAE will immediately eliminate tariffs on pharmaceutical products, chemicals, paper and paperboard, printed books, and newspapers. Duties on machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, apparel, furniture, footwear, ceramics, and glass will be phased out within five years.

However, the UAE will continue to prohibit imports of certain items, including pork and pork products, narcotic substances, used tyres, and asbestos-containing materials.

On the Nigerian side, the agreement grants UAE products improved access to the local market. Nigeria will immediately remove tariffs on mineral fuels, machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, iron and steel, and plastics, while tariffs on items such as fish, fruits, vegetables, and apparel will be phased out over five years.

Nigeria has retained its Import Prohibition List as a separate measure, with excluded items including meat and dairy products, selected vegetables, vegetable oils, cocoa preparations, cereal and flour products, tomato paste, alcoholic beverages, soaps and detergents, and certain cotton yarns and fabrics.

Beyond trade in goods, the agreement also covers services and investment. Nigeria made commitments across 99 specific services in 10 sectors, while the UAE opened 108 services across 11 sectors. The arrangement allows Nigerian business visitors to enter the UAE to explore trade and investment opportunities and to establish corporate entities within the sectors covered.

The Federal Government said the agreement would give Nigerian businesses greater confidence to expand into the UAE market while benefiting from stronger investment protections. It added that the pact supports the Renewed Hope Agenda by accelerating non-oil exports and strengthening Nigeria’s appeal as an investment destination.

The ministry further noted that the agreement aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under the World Trade Organisation, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and ECOWAS trade frameworks, without undermining existing regional commitments.

Relevant government agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, are expected to work together to implement the agreement and facilitate increased trade and investment flows between both countries.

Exporters and investors have been advised to seek detailed guidance on product coverage, rules of origin, and export procedures from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and other relevant agencies.

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Emirates Airline has announced plans to resume flight operations to Nigeria, two years after suspending its services due to foreign exchange challenges and difficulties in repatriating funds.

The airline confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the resumption marks a significant step in rebuilding ties between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Nigeria.

Emirates halted flights to Nigeria in October 2022 after it was unable to repatriate over $85 million in ticket sales, following Nigeria’s foreign exchange crisis at the time.

The suspension affected both business and leisure travel between the two nations, prompting diplomatic discussions.

According to the airline, operations will resume with regular passenger flights between Dubai and Lagos, with schedules and ticket sales expected to be announced soon.

“The return to Nigeria reflects our commitment to strengthening air connectivity and enhancing bilateral relations with one of Africa’s most important markets,” the airline said.

The Federal Government had earlier confirmed that negotiations were underway with UAE authorities to restore flight operations between both countries. Aviation industry observers have welcomed the move, describing it as a positive development for trade, tourism, and international relations.

With the return of Emirates, analysts expect improved travel options for Nigerian passengers and renewed investor confidence in the aviation sector.

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The talks aim to resolve concerns over visa restrictions and strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between both nations.

The decision was reached during a courtesy visit by Salem Saeed Alshamsi,
the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, to Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja.

Many Nigerians, particularly those seeking tourism visas, have faced challenges securing entry into the UAE, despite the long-standing diplomatic and economic ties between both nations.

During the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to its partnership with the UAE, highlighting the deep economic connections between both countries.

“Dubai has become a preferred destination for many Nigerians,” she said, noting that approximately 12,000 Nigerians currently reside in the UAE, including professionals, students, and workers.

She also revealed that in 2015 alone, nearly one million Nigerians visited the UAE, spending between $100 million and $150 million on visas and over $1 billion on shopping, tourism, and other economic activities.

Despite this substantial financial input, Odumegwu-Ojukwu pointed out that economic relations between the two nations remained largely one-sided. She stressed the need to explore mutually beneficial collaborations in sectors such as power and renewable energy.

Expressing concerns over visa restrictions, the minister urged the UAE to provide clear guidelines on its visa policies to address widespread uncertainty among Nigerians.

“There have been numerous concerns about UAE visa policies, even among top government officials. Nigerians have heavily invested in real estate, tourism, and business activities in the UAE. We need clarity on this issue,” she said.

She also disclosed plans to host a Nigeria-UAE Joint Commission meeting in Nigeria, following the last edition hosted by the UAE in 2022.

The meeting is expected to address pending Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and strengthen economic cooperation.
In response, Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her appointment and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to fostering strong ties with Nigeria.

He disclosed that, since assuming office in Abuja, he had ensured the issuance of visas to both government officials and private individuals, with a designated agent handling applications for private travelers.

“I have zero visa rejections since I arrived in Nigeria a year and a half ago. From July 2024 alone, we have issued over 700 tourism visas,” Alshamsi stated.

He assured that a meeting would be held soon to resolve the visa concerns and optimize existing agreements to enhance trade and investment between both countries.

“Sometimes, we may have disagreements, but there is nothing personal. We remain partners and will continue working together,” he said

He added that more agreements would be signed ahead of the UAE President’s planned visit to Nigeria in the second quarter of the year.

Beyond visa-related matters, Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed gratitude to the UAE for its recent donation of relief materials to support Nigerian flood victims and vaccines for chickenpox patients.

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Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has applauded President Bola Tinubu for resolving the UAE visa ban on Nigerians.

Otedola said the resolution of the dispute showed Tinubu’s strong leadership qualities and his commitment to economic diplomacy.

He said the reversal of the visa ban would improve Nigeria’s stock exchange and attract foreign investments.

Otedola also said the hardship that Nigerians are facing at the moment is temporary and that Tinubu’s policies will soon yield results.

He urged Nigerians to be patient and support the administration.

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