President Bola Tinubu has revealed that Nigeria is considering granting Rwandans a 30-day visa-free entry, in what officials described as a move aimed at deepening African unity and regional cooperation.
Tinubu made the disclosure during bilateral talks with Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa CEO Forum in Kigali.
The development was announced on Friday by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, through her official X account.
According to the minister, both leaders agreed to revive the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission originally signed by Nigeria and Rwanda in 2021 to strengthen bilateral relations and accelerate shared economic goals.
She quoted Tinubu as saying Nigeria would “seriously consider reciprocating” Rwanda’s existing 30-day visa-free policy for Nigerians “in the spirit of Pan-Africanism.”
The discussions also focused on activating pending Memoranda of Understanding between both countries and advancing implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that Nigeria and Rwanda had completed the ratification process and submitted tariff concession schedules, positioning both countries among the leading participants in the continental trade pact.
Tinubu further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to South-South cooperation through the Technical Aid Corps Scheme, with 28 Nigerian volunteers currently serving in Rwandan universities.
