ABUJA, Nigeria — Renowned Kenyan lawyer and governance advocate, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba, has urged Nigeria to abolish visa restrictions for African citizens, arguing that the continent cannot achieve meaningful integration and economic prosperity while Africans continue to face barriers when travelling within their own region.
Speaking at a public engagement on Africa’s development and regional cooperation, Lumumba said Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, has a critical role to play in promoting free movement across the continent. He maintained that removing visa requirements for fellow Africans would strengthen regional unity, expand trade and unlock new opportunities for investment, tourism and cultural exchange.
According to Lumumba, many African countries continue to maintain restrictive immigration policies that make it easier for visitors from outside the continent to enter than for fellow Africans. He described the situation as a contradiction to the vision of African unity and called on governments to adopt policies that encourage closer cooperation among African nations.
The professor stressed that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can only achieve its full potential if the movement of people becomes easier. While goods and services are expected to move more freely under the agreement, he argued that entrepreneurs, investors, professionals and students must also be able to travel across borders without unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles.
Lumumba noted that visa-free travel would encourage business partnerships, increase intra-African trade and create employment opportunities for millions of young people. He added that easier movement would also promote knowledge sharing, innovation and stronger educational collaboration among African institutions.
He further argued that Africa’s development depends on greater cooperation rather than division, urging political leaders to prioritise continental interests over narrow national considerations. According to him, stronger regional integration would improve Africa’s competitiveness in the global economy and reduce dependence on external markets.
The governance expert also encouraged African governments to invest in modern border management systems capable of maintaining national security while facilitating legitimate travel. He said concerns about crime and illegal migration should not become excuses for maintaining policies that hinder economic growth and regional cooperation.
Lumumba praised countries that have already introduced visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies for African travellers, describing such initiatives as important steps toward achieving the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He expressed hope that more nations, including Nigeria, would embrace similar reforms in the near future.
Analysts say Nigeria’s visa policy has undergone gradual reforms in recent years, including expanded visa-on-arrival arrangements for eligible travellers and efforts to simplify entry procedures. However, advocates of regional integration continue to call for broader visa-free access for African citizens to strengthen economic ties across the continent.
Supporters of visa liberalisation argue that increased mobility would benefit businesses, educational institutions and tourism while fostering greater cultural understanding among Africans. They believe removing travel restrictions would help accelerate implementation of continental development initiatives and strengthen Africa’s collective voice in global affairs.
Lumumba concluded by urging African leaders to take bold decisions that will bring the continent closer together, insisting that genuine unity requires not only economic agreements but also the freedom for Africans to travel, work and do business across the continent with fewer restrictions. He said Nigeria’s leadership in adopting such reforms could encourage other African countries to follow suit and further advance the vision of a more integrated and prosperous Africa.
