*George: I stand by my story

The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism, Arts and Creative Economy has disassociated itself and the Nigerian government from an article written by renowned travel journalist Mr. Lucky George. The article titled “A Bitter Irony: UAE’s Sanctions Undermine African Trust After Africa-Backed Win for UN Tourism Role” was published on African Travel Times on July 12, 2025.

The article questioned why Nigeria and other African countries supported the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) candidate for the position of UN Tourism Secretary General, Sheikha Nowais, while the country discriminates against African countries in it’s visa regime.

In a press release signed by the Nigerian Minister of Culture, Tourism, Arts and Creative Economy Mrs. Hannatu Musawa, the ministry said: “The ministry wishes to state categorically that the views and assertions made in the article do not reflect the position of the Honourable Minister, the Ministry, or the Federal Government of Nigeria. Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) enjoy a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship, particularly in tourism development and cultural cooperation.

“We clarify that the Federal Government has not received any official communication regarding changes to UAE’s visa policy, and visa issuance for Nigerians is proceeding in an orderly manner.

“The Ministry dissociates itself from the article’s contents and urges the publisher to retract the publication to avoid misrepresenting Nigeria’s diplomatic position. We reaffirm our commitment to international tourism cooperation and peaceful partnerships based on trust and diplomacy.”

However Mr. Lucky George insists that he stands by his story, saying from his investigations, Nigerian travel agencies received emails from their partners in UAE informing them of the discriminatory visa policy for Nigerians and other African countries by UAE. He said he never said the Nigerian tourism ministry or agency were his source of information.

In George’s article “A bitter irony: UAE’s sanctions undermine African trust after Africa-backed win for UN Tourism Role.” He said: “Barely two months after all 11 African member states on the Executive Council of the UN Tourism unanimously supported a candidate from the United Arab Emirates [UAE] to clinch the most powerful position in global tourism governance, a diplomatic storm is brewing, and Africa is feeling betrayed.

“The woman in question, that will sit at the helm of the global tourism body from January 2026 did not campaign in any African country. She didn’t sit with African stakeholders. She didn’t participate in town halls. She didn’t court the continent’s vast tourism constituencies or outline a vision for African tourism. Yet, African nations, from West to East, North to South, set aside regional differences and supported her candidacy in good faith.

“This historic support, however, has been met with a troubling response: sweeping sanctions and humiliating travel restrictions from the very country that now proudly celebrates her election, the United Arab Emirates.

“Among the most glaring examples of these restrictions is the UAE’s persistent visa ban on Nigerian travellers, a move widely seen as disrespectful, especially considering Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s tourism and diplomatic circles. The UAE has not only refused to issue visas to ordinary Nigerian citizens but has also made it nearly impossible for Nigerian government officials and business leaders to engage constructively with Emirati counterparts.

“And this is at a time when cooperation in tourism development is more crucial than ever.

“Many African tourism stakeholders are now grappling with an uncomfortable question: Why did we support a candidate who showed little to no interest in our continent and whose country is now actively shutting the door.

“The silence from the newly elected official is even more deafening. One would expect that someone who was catapulted into international prominence through African votes would step up to defend the continent’s dignity, or at the very least, mediate a thaw in diplomatic tensions. Instead, we are witnessing the erosion of goodwill and the reversal of years of efforts to build a more inclusive, multipolar global tourism agenda.

“This is more than just a visa or travel issue. It is a crisis of political maturity, diplomatic accountability, and the value of African solidarity on the global stage. Africa, which accounts for some of the most dynamic emerging tourism markets, has once again been used for numbers, to make up votes, and then tossed aside.

“What makes this situation more painful is the perception, widely held among informed tourism professionals, that the UAE candidate was, by many technical and professional standards, the least qualified of those who contested for the position. Others had more extensive experience in tourism management, global diplomacy, and stakeholder engagement. But Africa, ever hopeful for new partnerships, took a leap of faith.

“Was this support a calculated strategic move, or was it another example of Africa being politically generous without demanding reciprocal respect?

“The answer lies in the aftermath. Since her election, there has been no tour of appreciation to Africa, no policy direction shared with African ministers, and no attempt to discuss the continent’s tourism recovery agenda, which, post-COVID, remains fragile and underfunded.

“This sends a worrying signal that African priorities may not feature prominently in the agenda of the new leadership.”