The International Trade Union Confederation Africa (ITUC-Africa) has urged the Nigerian Government to remove visa fees for African travellers, warning that current charges hinder regional integration and economic collaboration.
The call was made by ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Mr. Akhator Odigie, in a letter to the Minister of Interior, Mr. Tunji Ojo, on Friday in Abuja.
Odigie argued that eliminating visa fees would “promote visa openness, enhance mobility across African countries, and strengthen efforts toward deeper regional integration and shared economic development on the continent.” He stressed that Nigeria should take the lead in removing barriers to the free movement of people and impeding cooperation among African nations.
“High biometric and visa charges place unnecessary burdens on African travellers and discourage trade, tourism, and professional exchanges,” Odigie said. He pointed out that countries like Rwanda and Kenya had successfully boosted economic growth through visa-free policies without compromising national security.
Odigie highlighted that the movement of workers, investors, and professionals is central to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and noted that many African countries already operate visa-free or visa-on-arrival systems, stimulating intra-African trade and collaboration.
He called on Nigeria, as the continent’s largest economy, to remove travel hurdles and facilitate smooth movement across Africa. He also criticized excessive biometric fees, noting that most countries integrate these costs into visa charges to make travel more affordable.
Odigie urged the government to adopt similar approaches, emphasizing reciprocity since many African countries do not charge Nigerians for entry. He further flagged challenges with Nigeria’s online visa platform and recommended urgent upgrades to improve user experience.
Simplifying visa processes, he said, would attract business travel, investment, and closer economic ties, warning that ignoring these reforms could stall AfCFTA progress and weaken Nigeria’s leadership in African integration. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that the Ministry of Interior would consider the recommendations in the interest of continental unity.
