The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has lifted a ban on international travel to China.
A restriction of travel to the Asian country was initially imposed following the spread of the coronavirus.
The decision to lift the ban was taken after an inter-ministerial meeting held in Abuja on Friday, January 31.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said that a travel advisory is much better than a ban which may seem like stigmatising China.
Despite initial warning from the minister of health, Osagie Ehanire, that Nigerians should avoid travelling to China, the epicentre of Coronavirus, the federal government said that citizens are free to visit the Asian nation.
Mohammed also said that except Nigerians in the central city of Wuhan indicate interest to return home; the Federal Government cannot force them to do so, adding that according to the Nigerian embassy in China, there are about 16 Nigerians in the city and that they are in safe hands.
The minister said: “I know we have Nigerians in Wuhan; our Embassy in China has confirmed that we have about 16 Nigerians in Wuhan and they are in touch with them. They have, however, not indicated their interest to come home. They will, however, contact our embassy if they like to come home.” Further, he said that there is a great need for public sensitisation of Nigerians on the disease and that those intending to travel to the Asian nation should be very transparent about it.
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