By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a 30-day visa-free entry policy for Rwandan nationals travelling to Nigeria in a move aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and promoting regional integration across Africa.
The Nigeria Immigration Service announced the implementation of the policy on Friday, following Tinubu’s directive during the Africa CEO Forum held in Kigali, Rwanda.
According to the NIS, the new arrangement is a reciprocal gesture in response to Rwanda’s existing visa-free policy for Nigerian citizens. Under the agreement, Rwandan nationals can now enter Nigeria without a visa for tourism, business and official engagements for a period not exceeding 30 days.
The Service, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, said all international entry points, including airports, land borders and seaports, have been directed to begin immediate implementation of the presidential directive.
The immigration agency, however, clarified that Rwandan citizens seeking to remain in Nigeria will go through the status quo.
