President Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria will “seriously consider” granting citizens of Rwanda 30-day visa-free entry as part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral relations and advance Pan-African integration.
The proposal was disclosed in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga following a meeting between Tinubu and Paul Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa in Kigali.
Tinubu is currently in Kigali for the Africa CEO Forum, where African leaders and top business executives are discussing regional integration, trade expansion, and investment opportunities across the continent.
According to the presidency, the proposed visa-free arrangement would mirror Rwanda’s current immigration policy, which permits Nigerians to enter the country without visas for stays of up to 30 days.
“In reviewing consular matters, President Tinubu stated that Nigeria will seriously consider reciprocating Rwanda’s 30-day visa-free status for Nigerians in the spirit of Pan-Africanism,” the statement read.
Both leaders also agreed to revive the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission established in 2021 to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Nigeria and Rwanda resolved to reactivate the commission as a platform for advancing bilateral engagements, with Nigeria expected to host the next session.
The move aligns with ongoing efforts by African governments to ease travel restrictions, promote intra-African mobility, and support implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
