Nigeria in talks with countries to have travel ban reversed – SGF

By our reporter/ Nigeria has initiated diplomatic steps towards ensuring that travel restrictions placed on Nigerians by some countries over the Omicron virus is reversed, the presidential steering committee (PSC) said on Monday.

The United Kingdom, Canada, Saudi Arabia, UAE have all placed travel restrictions on Nigerian travellers over Omicron variant concerns.

Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and chairman of the PSC, who made the disclosure at a press briefing, said Nigeria has deployed science and data to measure the risks to the citizens, especially on the dangers of importation.

According to him, all surveillance and control measures around our country have been escalated.

“It has similarly ramped up vaccination of eligible citizens and residents while making provisions for booster shots for those fully vaccinated, he said.

​”The PSC is working with mandate ministries to address the issues surrounding the restriction imposed by some countries on travelers from Nigeria on account of the Omicron variant. While each country is entitled to put in place measures to protect its citizens, Nigeria has similar responsibilities.

“However, based on existing relationships, Nigeria has initiated diplomatic steps to make these countries reverse their course. This is ongoing in the interest of all parties concerned and we expect that positive results would emerge within the next one week.”