Premium Times reported that advocates at an Abuja conference called on Nigeria to admit African Union citizens without visas, arguing that easier movement could support trade, tourism and investment.
The Conference of Freedom Advocates was scheduled for Oct. 31 in Abuja. Its organizer’s agenda listed a visa-policy session, while the appeal itself is documented in Premium Times’ post-event account.
The African Union and African Development Bank’s 2025 report ranked Nigeria 32nd, down from sixth in the previous edition. It says Nigeria shifted from broad visa-on-arrival access to requiring most African nationals to secure visas before travel. The index counts e-visas and similar advance authorizations as visas required before arrival. Its assessment used International Air Transport Association data collected in July and August 2025. The report says Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Somalia together changed rules affecting 162 African travel scenarios.
The Nigeria Immigration Service says its tourist visa applies to non-ECOWAS nationals from countries not covered by visa-abolition or waiver agreements. Applicants must pay a fee and apply online or through an embassy. The visa is valid for 90 days from issuance and allows one entry for a stay of up to 30 days.
In July 2025, Nigeria’s Presidency said its e-visa system had replaced visa-on-arrival and that applicants received e-visas within 48 hours. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president, described the earlier process as “inefficient and often used as a means of extortion.”
Premium Times said the advocates pointed to Kenya and Rwanda when calling for reciprocal arrangements. Kenya’s travel-authorization portal lists East African Community citizens as exempt for stays of up to 180 days. Rwanda’s immigration authority says African Union citizens receive a visa on arrival with the fee waived for visits of up to 30 days.
