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Nigeria Signs Visa Free Agreement With South Africa
May 10, 2013 – Nigeria Signs Visa Waiver Agreement With South Africa
NIGERIA and South Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make it unnecessary for nationals of both countries holding official or diplomatic passports to acquire visa before travelling to either country.
The MoU was signed on Tuesday between President Goodluck Jonathan and his host, President Jacob Zuma, during a closed door bilateral session between the two leaders in the South African president’s office in Cape Town.
Other MoU signed between the two countries were on cooperation in legal field, oil and gas sector, power sector development, environment, defence cooperation, women development and empowerment, as well as child development.
There were also bilateral agreements on geology, mining, mineral processing and metallurgy and fields of information and communication technology.
The two leaders also agreed on the need for stronger cooperation in other sectors, including economic, social and political development on the African continent.
Speaking after the meeting, Zuma observed that Jonathan’s visit to South Africa had generated a lot of interest, excitement and optimism among its citizens in view of the historic relations between the two leading economies in Africa.
“We have a duty to take this historic relationship further. Our two countries have already grown very warm bilateral relations structured through the bi-national commission that was officially inaugurated in 1999,” he said.
The South African president observed with delight that over 100 South African companies were already doing businesses in Nigeria with the biggest investment being in the telecommunication sector.
He spoke of the plan for the country to expand into other areas such as engineering, construction, banking, oil and the media, noting the need for both countries to promote people to people relationship, especially through tourism, which he said had generated huge foreign direct investments for the country.
“Last year alone, South Africa received a total of 73,282 Nigerian tourists, which is an 13.8 per cent increase from 2011, contributing about 720 million Rands to the South African economy within the period,” Zuma revealed.
In his remarks, Jonathan noted that the signing of nine bilateral agreements between the two countries was a major achievement that would enhance the critical role of Nigeria and South Africa in transforming the continent.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan has stressed the need for African leaders to give the fullest possible attention to the economic emancipation of their countries now that they have successfully liberated the continent from colonialism, racism and apartheid.
Addressing the South African Parliament during his state visit, the President advised the leaders make building strong economies and strengthening democratic governance their topmost priority.
According to him, “On the 25th of this month, Africa will be celebrating the golden jubilee of the Organization of African Unity, now the African Union. As we take stock of the achievements of our continental organization, it is also appropriate that we reflect and decide where our continent should be in the next fifty years.
“That destination has to be a democratic and united Africa that is at peace with itself and can compete with the rest of the world,” Jonathan said.
The president noted that Africa has emerged as the new frontier for trade and investment in the world, added that African leaders must rise to the challenge of managing the new opportunities presented by this situation for the benefit of their peoples and countries.
Furthermore, he said: “There is certainly a lot more that we can do. We must work together to put an end to the exploitation and exploration of Africa’s resources for export without any value added; African countries must transform from being primary sources of raw material into producers to create jobs and opportunities for our people.
“We must check the loss of Africa’s trained manpower to already developed countries. We must work together, to promote trade and investment among our countries and build trans-national infrastructure in such critical sectors as trade, telecommunications, and transportation in order to fast-track the process of people-centred, continental integration.
[Source: Tribune]
Vive
May 10, 2013 at 9:01 PM
Congrats.This wl create a friendly environment 4 business & investments.No more visa wahala 2 travel 2 South.Kudos.
Shakur
May 10, 2013 at 9:07 PM
U beta do ur best nw b4 u left..@jonathan
Shakur
May 10, 2013 at 9:09 PM
U beta do ur best nw b4 u left..@jonathan..
boncy
May 10, 2013 at 9:46 PM
Gud 1….
leigh
May 11, 2013 at 4:30 AM
We in SA have nothing to gain from Nigerian except more d**gs and an inf**x of aliens.
candy
May 11, 2013 at 3:37 PM
i totally agree with u,as if they are not dominating already
Jay
May 11, 2013 at 9:45 PM
“Last year alone, South Africa received a total of 73,282 Nigerian tourists, which is an 13.8 per cent increase from 2011, contributing about 720 million Rands to the South African economy within the period,” Zuma revealed.
Please kindly read the article before making ignorant comments. Thank you.
laspa
May 13, 2013 at 4:35 PM
Lelgh or whatever u called ur self if SA don’t have anything 2 gain from Nigerians, Nigerians got a lot 2 gain from SA,& u are about 2 dance 2 d tone of agbaka & put u in ur ma ar puss!
Roy
May 11, 2013 at 5:34 AM
Great News!
cole
May 11, 2013 at 7:10 AM
We pray Jonathan go hear? Amen
TINA
May 11, 2013 at 10:56 AM
ITS A WELCOMING DEVELOPMENT.AM PARTICULARLY HAPPI ABOUT THIS
Innocent
May 11, 2013 at 3:35 PM
That’s a great news of civilization 4 Youth Empowerment
ebenezer
May 11, 2013 at 7:06 PM
The SA people are ingrate. We dont really need them.
laspa
May 13, 2013 at 4:13 PM
Ebenezar u b real goat because now only goat dey talk like DAT wake up fool
alpha
May 12, 2013 at 6:27 AM
Please guys read nd comprehend! The policy is nt for the common man but for them politicians nd their cronies… “NIGERIA and South Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make it unnecessary for nationals of both countries holding official or diplomatic passports to acquire visa before travelling to either country”
segzy
May 28, 2013 at 11:28 AM
@jeleel saya…help me tell dem jor it nt for poor Nigerian is for those in government..
micheal
May 12, 2013 at 7:11 AM
Hear zuma “we hav over 100 companies operatin in nigeria, majorly in communications, nw we wnt 2 go in2 construction, media, engineerin, oil etc”. My questn is wat measures hav our govt put in plce 2 c dat al dis infitrations by south african companies in2 our economy wl nt harm us lik d mtn is doin now!!
samuel emark xkion
May 12, 2013 at 9:57 PM
thats a gr8 suggestion and action,its all 4 the betterment of it all.
abass
May 13, 2013 at 8:17 AM
it’s welcomed development…..I reserve all praise to ALLAH and the 2 leaders
Toni
May 13, 2013 at 12:17 PM
@Alpha you must be a bush man. lol
Official passport means the one that every regular person carries. Diplomatic passport is the one which people in Government carry. That statement does not mean that only those in power will be exempt.
As for you leigh you must really have a small mind (size of a peanut) you have nothing to gain, think about MTN and all the revenue it racks in for your country? Ask God to enlarge ur mind and make you see beyond the little petty things after all your people are not saints either. P.S those who live in glass houses don’t throw stones
Belinda
May 14, 2013 at 5:55 AM
Thanks Toni, I was just shocked by Alpha’s comment. Is he serious? Hahahahah where is he coming from? Anyway its not his fault.
I am very happy for this agreement, no more visa problems for me too, oh and I pity those that were making money from this, anyway they will find another way.
Now I think the flight tickets will increase as well, is it just me…?
No more harrasment from my Nigerian friends again about the Invitation letters and problems at the embassies, hihhihihihi. I’m happy for us oooo.
Rotimi
May 14, 2013 at 6:46 AM
Toni na you no go school, official passport is for those who work under government as a secretary to the state government, so the free visa is for Diplomatic and Official people not Standard people like you.
Reo
May 14, 2013 at 4:50 PM
Only for Diplomatic and Official people,, if you are using ordinary passport,,either Nigerian or South africa you all still need to get visa.
marky
May 14, 2013 at 5:54 PM
@rotimi dude I think uv got your facts mixed up..official passport is the regular passport 4 every citizen.believing otherwise implies that naija nw has 3kinds of passport diplomatic,official…n pls wts d third one?
Momodu
May 14, 2013 at 7:26 PM
Official Passport
OFFICIAL PASSPORT (BLUE COVER)
Requirements for Official Passport
Letter of introduction from applicant’s Ministry, Parastatal or Extra – Ministerial Department duly signed by an officer not below the rank of a Director
or
Secretary to state Government in case of an employee of state government
Police report and court affidavit in case of lost passport
One (1) passport photograph.
Acknowledgment slip and receipt of payment.
Momodu
May 14, 2013 at 7:40 PM
Guys shld go to immigration website and read more.
https://www.immigration.gov.ng/index.php?id=53
Types of Passports
Diplomatic Passport ………… JONATHAN AND CO. (RED COVER)
Official Passport ………….. Offical Man (Oga @ D Top) (BLUE COVER)
Standard Nigeria Passport …… Common Man (GREEN COVER)
Pilgrims Passport ………….. It is valid for six months only. MECCA & JERUSALEM TRIP
Seaman’s Book (Certificate of Identity)This is issued to Nigerians who work on ocean going vessels or watercrafts.
bolaji
May 15, 2013 at 1:29 PM
dat’s grt it’s a great achievement for both country
Adarsyors
May 17, 2013 at 6:27 AM
What about job oppurtunities,are they gonna offer us job? cos they are racist,make our pressy work on dat in favour of we here in SA
Adewale
May 17, 2013 at 7:33 AM
This simply has nothing to do with the economy I think…Its only for people with diplomatic Passports and official passports…They are still making them self happy within themselves..Foolish fellows
obinna
May 17, 2013 at 10:14 AM
The question is “What are nigerians doing in south africa! Zuma define his stand wen he said he has over 100 coy, and make more mone frm nigerian tourist
Odile
May 17, 2013 at 6:00 PM
It is great that President Jonathan visited South Africa, to ease any tensions that might have existed between the countries prior to the visit. I do not however agree with the fact that SA and Nigeria are necessarily doing this for the good of the continent. Many of the agreements signed will only benefit SA and Nigeria, and if they want to do something for the continent, why not use already established institutions such as the AU. Furthermore, a great emphasis is placed on security and the continent. I think BOTH countries should focus on resolving their own internal conflicts first before meddling in other countries’ conflicts.
kaboom
May 20, 2013 at 1:34 PM
judgment to all Africans leaders black people don’t need visa to travel to another Africa country. O.A.U organisation of African unity set it long time.
G-Point
May 21, 2013 at 7:54 PM
I think its very good if that meeting is for the better of the Citizens of both 2 Countries. But if its for there self I think Good luck don’t have good plans for Our Younger ones future & God will judge them all very soon.just like Aba…c
jeleel
May 21, 2013 at 8:23 PM
Wy goverment ae thinking like foolish?any way they are foolish cus how some people alone wll be
Visa free to a country alone.another country they don’t do this types of (agreement)cus like LIBERIA
Visa free to south Korea mean all the citizens can go with out visa.so why nigeria government are so fool?I have never se a visa free country like this if truelly only officia and diplomatic.why and it day vex me sha.shame our leader’s
Demolacares
June 24, 2013 at 5:30 AM
It’s a gr8 news
Ladejo michael
June 30, 2013 at 1:04 PM
Am a travelling consultant and this article is meant for diplomatic and official passport holders which means government and business owners.this doesn’t apply to d common passport holders known as ordinary so don’t get confused or carried away.