Concerning the travel ban placed on Nigeria by the UK, the Federal Government has described the British government’s decision as unjust, unfair, punitive and discriminatory. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this at a conference in Abuja on Monday, he described the travel ban as discriminatory.

Federal Government describes Britain’s ban decision as discrimination.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, Alhaji Sharafa Ishola, also described the travel ban as apartheid. President of African Development Bank, AfDB, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said the travel ban on some African countries over Omicron, was also “very unfair, non-scientific and discriminatory.”

Britain had on Saturday banned Nigerian traveler’s after it said it discovered 21 cases of the Omicron variant in people who recently visited Nigeria. Canada also banned Nigerian travelers after the detection of the variant in persons who visited Nigeria. The Head of Communications, British High Commission, Hurlock, said the UK was aware of the significant impact of the travel ban.

He also noted that the decision would affect people in both the UK and Nigeria, particularly at this time of the year, but stated that it was a precautionary measure meant to protect public health in England.

British High Commission, Hurlock, said, “We know that this decision will have a significant impact on people in both our countries, particularly at this time of the year. “This decision is a precautionary measure to protect public health in the UK, while we try to understand this new variant.

“These are temporary measures that have been introduced to prevent further Omicron cases from entering the UK, and will be examined at a review point on December 20.”

The commission stated that it would continue to work with the local authorities in tackling the pandemic.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has stated that the Federal Government will respond to UK, Canada ban soon. On Monday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed, condemned travel bans by the UK, Canada, Indonesia, Hong Kong and others.

The minister, who is also a member of the steering committee, said, “As you are aware, Britain has put Nigeria on its red list and banned foreign travels from our country.

This is as a result of the discovery of COVID-19 cases, Omicron variant, in Nigeria. Britain now joins other countries, including Canada, which has taken a similar action against Nigeria over Omicron.

“Let me say straight away that it’s up to the Presidential Steering Committee to respond to this action by the British government and others, and I have no doubt that the committee will respond appropriately.”