Civil society and media people for one Abuja conference don ask Nigeria to allow citizens of African Union member countries enter without visa. Premium Times report di appeal on 1 November after di Conference of Freedom Advocates wey hold Saturday, 31 October. Na proposal from advocates; e no be announcement say Nigeria don introduce new entry policy.
Di speakers argue say easier movement fit support tourism, business visits, investment and trade. Dem ask African countries to make reciprocal arrangements and question why visa charges suppose mainly be source of government revenue. Na their policy arguments be these, no be confirmed benefits from reform wey dem don carry out. Di report no establish how much revenue or visitor spending any future change go bring.
Di organiser official conference website confirm di Abuja event date and ADVANCE theme. E describe programme wey cover economic opportunity, rights, accountable government and citizen participation. Di programme help confirm where di discussion happen. E no give participants government power or turn di conference recommendations to instructions for airlines or border officers.
Nigeria Immigration Service published F 5 A tourism-visa guidance show useful difference. E describe single-entry tourism category for eligible visitors, and e clearly exclude ECOWAS nationals and people wey other visa-waiver agreements cover from di eligibility statement for that category. So exemptions wey already dey no be same thing as new exemption for di whole continent. Di conference appeal itself no change those published arrangements.
Di same official page list passport wey get at least six months validity, return ticket, accommodation details and proof of money among requirements. E separate visa validity of 90 days from permitted stay of 30 days, with no extension and no permission to work. Na different limits: di period when visa dey valid no mean permission to stay for all those days.
For people wey dey arrange visits to Nigeria, di practical difference na between advocacy and rule wey dey work. Any future reform go need official announcement wey explain who qualify, when e go start and conditions wey still apply. Until then, di conference na contribution to discussion about movement across Africa; e no prove say every African passport holder fit now board without documents wey dem currently require.