By Chinedu Echianu
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has called on the Nigerian government to adopt more open visa policies for African citizens.
It is also asking for the elimination of additional biometric fees imposed on travellers, citing the need to strengthen regional integration and economic cooperation.
In an open letter signed by ITUC-AFRICA’s General Secretary, Akhator Odigie and addressed to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the organisation emphasized Nigeria’s historic leadership in promoting Pan-African unity and urged the country to take further steps to support the free movement of people across the continent.
ITUC-Africa, which represents over 18 million workers through national trade union centres across Africa, noted that the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) depends not only on trade policies but also on the mobility of workers, entrepreneurs, and investors.
“Visa openness and ease of mobility can strengthen trade, investment, tourism, and labour mobility,” the letter stated, adding that freer movement would enhance knowledge exchange and economic growth within Africa.
The organisation highlighted examples of countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles, Benin, and The Gambia, which have introduced visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies for African citizens.
According to ITUC-Africa, these measures have improved cross-border business and tourism without compromising national security.
The group also raised concerns over Nigeria’s biometric fees for visa applicants, which it described as “exorbitant,” often exceeding $100 in addition to visa charges.
It argued that such fees place an unnecessary financial burden on African travellers, especially since many African countries either do not charge biometric fees or include them within the overall visa cost.
“Most African countries that require entry visas incorporate biometric capture into the visa fee, making the process more affordable,” the organisation noted, citing Uganda and Zambia as examples of countries with streamlined online visa systems.
ITUC-Africa further urged Nigeria to uphold the principle of reciprocity in its immigration policies.
It pointed out that Kenya currently offers visa-free entry to African citizens, including Nigerians, and called on Nigeria to extend similar treatment to Kenyan nationals and others across the continent.
In addition, the organisation flagged ongoing challenges with Nigeria’s online visa application portal, urging the government to address technical issues to ensure a smoother application process.
As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria is “well-positioned to champion reforms that facilitate the movement of people,” the group said, stressing that such actions would reinforce the implementation of AfCFTA and signal strong commitment to continental integration.
