The Federal Republic of Nigeria has formally activated a 30-day visa exemption arrangement for holders of Rwandan passports, with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) confirming that all administrative and operational preparations for the directive’s rollout have been finalised. The policy, announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the Africa CEO Forum held in Kigali, Rwanda, takes effect as a reciprocal measure mirroring a comparable concession already extended by the Rwandan Government to Nigerian citizens.
Under the terms of the bilateral framework, Rwandan nationals are now permitted to enter Nigerian territory without a prior visa for a cumulative stay not exceeding thirty (30) days, with eligibility covering lawful travel purposes such as tourism, commerce and official engagements. The exemption, however, does not confer residency rights beyond the stipulated window. Travellers seeking to extend their sojourn past the approved 30-day threshold are mandated to regularise their immigration status by obtaining the requisite visa category through a Nigerian Embassy or High Commission abroad, or through the Nigeria e-Visa platform.
According to a statement by the NIS, directives have been issued to all international points of entry to commence immediate enforcement of the new admissibility regime in accordance with the Presidential directive.
The development reflects the deepening diplomatic and bilateral ties between Abuja and Kigali within the framework of the broader continental discourse on intra-African mobility liberalisation, and is consistent with the aspirations driving pan-African economic integration such as enhanced tourism flows and cross-border commercial activity.
