Nigeria-UAE non-oil trade hits $5bn

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu receiving congratulatory letter from the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, on behalf of the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Highness Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on her recent elevation by President Bola Tinubu, in Abuja. Photo Credit: SA to the minister

Nigeria’s non-oil trade with the United Arab Emirates rose to $5 billion in 2025 from $4.3 billion recorded in 2024, as both countries intensify efforts to deepen economic and diplomatic relations. The development came as the UAE announced plans to open the First Abu Dhabi Bank in Lagos and disclosed that Etihad Airways would commence flight operations to Abuja this year. The UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, disclosed this during a visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu. According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Magnus Eze, the envoy said, economic relations between both countries had remained robust and dynamic, particularly in the area of non-oil trade. Al-Shamsi commended the growing partnership between the two nations, noting that, “non-oil trade increased from $4.3 billion in 2024 to $5 billion in 2025 and could reach about $8 billion by 2027”. The ambassador also disclosed that visa restrictions for Nigerians had been eased, added that Nigerian travellers were no longer experiencing visa rejections for visits to the UAE. According to him, more than 15,000 Nigerians travelled to the UAE within the last year following the easing of restrictions. He further reaffirmed the, UAE’s support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, revealing that his country had issued at least eight statements condemning terrorist attacks in Nigeria. The meeting also provided an opportunity for Al-Shamsi to present a letter of congratulations from the UAE’s 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. Related News Grenada’s PM pushes stronger Africa-Caribbean trade relations Nigeria, Türkiye sign mining cooperation deal FG to cut African export costs with new RwandAir cargo deal Speaking during the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria remained committed to creating an enabling environment for foreign direct investment, including investments from UAE-based sovereign wealth funds and private sector e