Nigeria-UAE Non-Oil Trade Hits $5bn

Nigeria’s non-oil trade with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) rose to $5 billion in 2025 from $4.3 billion recorded in 2024, as both countries intensified efforts to deepen economic and diplomatic relations.

The development came as the UAE announced plans to establish the First Abu Dhabi Bank in Lagos and disclosed that Etihad Airways would commence flight operations to Abuja later 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, adding 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 the 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.

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 entities.

She also expressed satisfaction that visa-related concerns between both countries had been largely resolved through sustained diplomatic engagement.

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.

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

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also recalled that the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister was the first foreign official to congratulate her following her elevation by President Bola Tinubu to the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“I am so pleased to have received the call from His Highness, the Deputy Prime Minister, and his prayers and encouragement to me. It was actually the first of such calls. He even extended an invitation for me to visit the UAE. This profound gesture is most sincerely appreciated.

“I am restating the commitment of Nigeria to mutual diplomatic ties with the UAE. We remain committed to working together to continue moving our bilateral relations from strength to strength,” she stated.

The minister noted that Nigeria and the UAE were also working towards implementing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed by both countries, expressing confidence that the agreement would significantly boost economic cooperation and create new opportunities for businesses, professionals and workers in both nations.