Nigeria, Ethiopia Sign Visa-Free Agreement

Buhari and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

Nigeria and Ethiopia have signed a visa waiver agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the field of Defence.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed witnessed the signing of the agreement Tuesday in Addis Ababa by their Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and Gedu Andargachew, respectively, during the State Visit of the Nigerian leader.

Earlier, while meeting with the Ethiopian Prime Minister, President Buhari had discussed how to explore new areas of collaboration to further enhance and expand Nigeria-Ethiopia bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefits of the two countries.

The visa waiver agreement is expected to ease travels by officials and contribute to further strengthening of bilateral relations.

The Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation is important to both countries in the coordination of efforts in the fight against terrorism and securing peace and stability in their respective sub-regions, as well as on the continent of Africa.

The MoU will also enhance bilateral military cooperation in the areas of training and education, technical assistance, exchange of visits and defence technology transfer.

It also entails cooperation in peace support operation issues within the framework of the respective laws of the Parties and on a reciprocal basis.

Both sides agreed to swiftly conclude negotiations on the revised Bilateral Air Services Agreement and the MoU on cultural cooperation.

The consummation of these two agreements will provide veritable platforms for deepening existing air transport services, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

President Buhari expressed gratitude to the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia for the warm and generous hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the visit.

He further extended an invitation to Prime Minister Ahmed to pay a reciprocal State Visit to Nigeria on mutually convenient dates.

Nigerian passports can currently enter 45 other countries visa-free. See list below:

African countries
Benin republic (visa free)
Burkina Faso (visa free)
Burundi (visa on arrival for 30 days)
Cape Verde (visa on arrival)
Cameroon (visa free)
Chad (visa free)
Comoros Island (visa on arrival)
Cote d’Ivoire (visa free)
Djibouti (visa on arrival)
Gambia (visa free for 90 days)
Ghana (visa free)
Guinea (visa free)
Guinea Bissau (visa free for 90 days)
Kenya (visa on arrival for 90 days)
Liberia (visa free)
Madagascar (visa on arrival for 90 days)
Maldives (visa on arrival for 30 days)
Mali (visa free)
Mauritania (visa on arrival)
Mauritius (visa free for 90 days)
Mozambique (visa free for 30 days)
Niger republic (visa free)
Senegal (visa free)
Seychelles (visitor’s permit on arrival for 1 month)
Sierra Leone (visa free)
Somalia (visa on arrival)
Tanzania (visa on arrival)
Togo (visa free)
Uganda (visa on arrival)

American countries
Ecuador
Barbados (visa free for 6 months)
Dominica (visa free for 21 days)
Haiti (visa free for 3 months)

Asian countries
Iran (visa on arrival)
Sri Lanka (electronic travel authorization)
Timor-Leste (visa on arrival for 30 days)
Bangladesh (visa on arrival)

Oceanian countries
Micronesia (visa free for 30 days)
Nauru (visa on arrival)
Vanuatu (visa free for 30 days)
Palau (visa on arrival for 90 days)
Tuvalu (visa on arrival for 30 days)
Samoa (entry permit on arrival for 60 days)
Fiji (visa-free for 4 months)

Entry requirements:
International Passport
Proof of sufficient funds
Accommodation
Return ticket

February 12, 2020