Nigeria, March 27 -- The call was made by ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Mr. Akhator Odigie, in a letter to the Minister of Interior, Mr. Tunji Ojo, on Friday in Abuja.

Odigie argued that eliminating visa fees would "promote visa openness, enhance mobility across African countries, and strengthen efforts toward deeper regional integration and shared economic development on the continent." He stressed that Nigeria should take the lead in removing barriers to the free movement of people and impeding cooperation among African nations.

"High biometric and visa charges place unnecessary burdens on African travellers and discourage trade, tourism, and professional exchanges," Odigie said. He pointed out that countries like Rwanda and Kenya h...