By Samuel Okechukwu,
The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has formally called on the government of Algeria to consider implementing a visa-free entry policy for Nigerian citizens. The Speaker argues that such a deal is critical to unlocking the immense potential for trade, research, and cultural exchange between the two major African nations.
Dr. Abbas made the appeal during a recent bilateral meeting in Abuja with the Algerian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Mr. Ahmed Attaf, in Algeria, emphasizing that the current visa restrictions act as a major bottleneck to deepening cooperation, particularly in key economic sectors.
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The core of Speaker Abbas’s argument is that relaxed visa requirements would significantly facilitate cross-border movement for business people, academics, and researchers. He highlighted that both Nigeria and Algeria, as resource-rich nations, stand to gain tremendously from smoother exchanges in:
- Trade and Investment: Easing movement would allow entrepreneurs to more readily explore and establish partnerships, particularly in energy, technology, and manufacturing.
- Educational Exchange and Research: Nigerian scholars and students face bureaucratic hurdles in accessing Algerian institutions, and vice-versa. A visa-free regime would boost collaborative research, particularly in areas like desertification control, energy studies, and security.
- Strengthening Continental Unity: The Speaker noted that promoting easier movement between these two North and West African giants aligns perfectly with the spirit of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, fostering integration across the continent.
While acknowledging the sovereign right of Algeria to manage its borders, the Speaker stressed the importance of reciprocity in diplomatic relations. He proposed that Nigeria is equally prepared to offer relaxed entry requirements for Algerian citizens as part of a comprehensive bilateral agreement.
“Our relationship with Algeria should reflect the solidarity we share as African brothers. Easing the entry process for our citizens will not only boost our economic metrics but also cement the diplomatic trust and mutual understanding between us,” Dr. Abbas stated during the meeting.
The Algerian Ambassador reportedly acknowledged the Speaker’s proposals, promising to relay the message to Algiers for high-level consideration. Should the visa-free deal materialize, it would mark a major step in fulfilling Nigeria’s policy goal of improving mobility for its citizens across Africa and establishing stronger South-South cooperation.
