CNN International correspondent Larry Madowo has raised concern over Nigeria’s visa fees.
In a LinkedIn post on Monday, Mr Madowo urged the Nigerian government to review the fees, noting that Africans ought to enjoy free movement within the continent.
He said that he holds a Kenyan passport which grants visa-free access to several African nations such as Uganda, South Africa, and Ghana.
“Nigeria just charged me $215 for a one-month, single entry visa. Again. I was here three weeks ago – paid the same $215. This is actually my third time in Nigeria this year, so they have made $645 from me in 2024 alone,” Madowo wrote.
“The visa itself costs $25, but Nigeria charges a $20 ‘processing fee’ and $170 for biometrics every time. My fingerprints haven’t changed since I was here three weeks ago. Why am I paying $170 to have them taken and to pose for a picture each time I visit? Isn’t that a standard part of admitting someone into a country?
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“How can we achieve a borderless Africa, or the promise of the AfCFTA, if we charge Africans $215 for a single-entry visa?
“In the three weeks since I was last in Lagos, I went to Uganda, South Africa, and Ghana, where I don’t need a visa with a Kenyan passport. In fact, I’ve also been to South Africa three times this year. It cost me $0, like the ancestors intended.
“Nigeria’s visa-on-arrival system is similar to the ‘visa-free’ delusion of Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorisation – you apply in advance, submit some documents, and wait for it to be approved. It can take up to five business days. If you know ‘someone,’ you can pay them $50 or more to ‘facilitate’ a faster approval.
“I love Nigeria, but the visa situation is showing me shege. It’s too much oo! Why this Shege Pro Max?”
