Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Ola Awakan has commended President Bola Tinubu, for the bold initiative of the 30-day visa exemption for Rwandan nationals.
This development, which reciprocates Rwanda’s existing visa-free policy for Nigerians, marks a significant milestone in advancing tourism exchanges, strengthening bilateral ties and advancing regional integration.
The DG in chat with newsmen described it as a visionary step that aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, this reciprocal arrangement will facilitate easier movement of people, foster cultural exchanges, and open new doors for tourism between the two great nations.
He further noted that Rwandan visitors can now explore Nigeria’s rich heritage sites, vibrant festivals, and diverse natural attractions without the previous visa hurdles, for up to 30 days.
Ola Awakan used the opportunity to call for the extension of similar visa exemption initiatives to other African countries.
He opined that expanding this policy to other African countries and possibly having a visa-free policy would boost inbound tourism to Nigeria by removing key barriers that currently limit tourists traffic.
The NTDA helmsman advised that broader visa liberalization would enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global tourism arena, encourage longer stays, increase spending on accommodation, cuisine and stimulate job creation in hospitality and the creative industry.
He also commends the bold steps taken by Ghana, Kenya, Republic of the Congo, and Burundi to scrap visa requirements for African travelers, thereby easing movement across the continent and strengthening regional integration.
