The founder of the Africa Development Studies Centre, Victor Oluwafemi, has called on the federal government to make reciprocal visa facilitation a mandatory component of Nigeria’s bilateral economic agreements.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr Oluwafemi noted that the absence of clear mobility provisions undermines Nigeria’s economic diplomacy.

According to him, Nigeria must adopt a clear national standard requiring every primary bilateral economic instrument to include a practical visa facilitation and mobility protocol designed for delivery, not ceremony.

“Nigeria is entitled to reciprocity. If Nigeria’s doors are open through cooperation frameworks, partner countries’ doors must also open to legitimate Nigerian travellers.

“Anything less creates an imbalance in which agreements benefit the movement of capital and counterparties but restrict the movement of Nigerian people who are required to deliver the outcomes,” stated Mr Oluwafemi .

The economic expert noted that “silence on this issue is costly”, as it “fuels public frustration, weakens confidence in economic diplomacy, and reinforces the perception that bilateral agreements are elite instruments rather than national opportunities”.

Mr Oluwafemi  added, “It also slows down the very Nigerians who convert policy into exports, jobs, tourism, and inflows of investment.

“I respectfully call on Mr President to treat mobility as a core pillar of economic statecraft and to mandate that visa facilitation clauses become a standard annexe to trade deals, aviation arrangements, and partnership frameworks.”

Mr Oluwafemi said that Nigeria should publish measurable delivery indicators for each partner country, including processing timelines for verified applicants and the availability of multi-entry pathways.

He said that Nigeria had shown momentum in signing agreements, saying that the next test was whether Nigerians can access, use, and monetise them.

He proposed a structured framework built around three tracks: an official mobility track to fast-track visas for government delegations and priority public missions, and a verified business mobility track offering multi-entry visas and accelerated processing for exporters, investors, executives, and organised trade missions.

He said that a professional and talent mobility track to provide sector-specific lanes for technical experts, creatives, academics and service providers should be aligned with bilateral priorities.

Mr Oluwafemi acknowledged Nigeria’s recent momentum in signing international agreements, saying that the true test lies in whether Nigerians can access, use and monetise those agreements to deliver tangible national benefits.

(NAN)