Africa-Press. Nigeria and Angola have signed a bilateral agreement waiving visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and official passports, a move both governments described as a practical step that paves the way for closer ties between the two countries. The agreement was signed yesterday, Sunday, on the sidelines of the 39th African Union summit session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital. Nigeria was represented by its foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, while Angola’s foreign minister, Tete António, signed on behalf of the government in Luanda.
After the signing, Tuggar said the agreement was “long awaited,” stressing that it will allow officials to travel freely between the two countries without obstacles, providing a foundation for strengthening bilateral cooperation. He added that easier movement for officials could open the door to broader economic opportunities, expressing hope that the waiver could eventually be extended to ordinary citizens.
For his part, the Angolan minister praised Nigeria’s historic role in supporting African liberation movements, noting that Nigeria’s support for Angola during the struggle against colonialism helped build strong relations between the two countries.
The new agreement applies only to holders of diplomatic and official passports, but it is expected to facilitate high-level meetings and enhance government-to-government cooperation, and it may pave the way for broader agreements in the future. The two ministers said the step could be the beginning of wider visa liberalization between the two countries, without setting a specific timeline.
