The Federal Government has officially commenced the implementation of a 30-day visa-free entry policy for Rwandan nationals following President Bola Tinubu’s announcement at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, confirming that all necessary arrangements had been concluded for the immediate enforcement of the directive across the country’s international entry points.
Under the new bilateral arrangement, Rwandan citizens are permitted to enter Nigeria without a visa for a period not exceeding 30 days for lawful purposes including tourism, business, and official engagements.
The Service, however, clarified that Rwandan nationals intending to stay beyond the approved period would be required to obtain the appropriate visa through Nigerian diplomatic missions abroad or via the Nigeria e-Visa platform.
The statement read: “Under this bilateral arrangement, Rwandan nationals may enter Nigeria without a visa for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days for lawful purposes, including tourism, business, and official engagements.”
According to the NIS, all airports, land borders, and seaports across Nigeria have been directed to begin immediate implementation of the policy in line with the presidential directive.
The immigration agency described the initiative as a reflection of the strong diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Rwanda and part of broader continental efforts to promote intra-African mobility, tourism, trade, and economic cooperation.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service notes that this initiative reflects the strong diplomatic and bilateral relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Rwanda, while promoting intra-African mobility, tourism, and economic cooperation in line with continental aspirations,” the statement added.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating safe, orderly, and lawful migration in line with international best practices and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
The visa waiver arrangement follows ongoing efforts by African countries to deepen regional integration and ease movement across the continent under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
