Nigeria, Angola Formalise Visa Exemption for Diplomatic Passport Holders
Nigeria and Angola have signed a landmark visa exemption agreement for holders of Diplomatic and Official/Service Passports, signalling a renewed push to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two African nations.
The draft agreement was signed on February 15, 2026, on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa.
Nigeria’s delegation was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, while Angola was represented by its Minister of International Relations, Tete Antonio, according to a statement by ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa.
Tuggar described the agreement as both long overdue and timely, noting that it would significantly ease travel procedures for government officials and strengthen diplomatic engagement.
According to him, the visa exemption arrangement will facilitate smoother official exchanges, deepen institutional cooperation, and create broader opportunities for joint initiatives and dialogue by removing administrative bottlenecks for authorised officials.
He stressed that Nigeria–Angola relations are anchored in a shared history, particularly during Angola’s ideological conflict between the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).
Tuggar recalled Nigeria’s principled stance during that era, highlighted by the historic “Africa Has Come of Age” speech delivered by former Head of State, Murtala Muhammed, which underscored Nigeria’s solidarity with Angola’s liberation struggle.
Ambassador Tete Antonio described the agreement as more than a procedural diplomatic step, calling it a substantive reaffirmation of the shared values and trust that have defined relations between both countries.
He noted that by eliminating visa requirements for diplomatic and official/service passport holders, the agreement would modernise the longstanding partnership, enhance policy coordination, and foster stronger institutional collaboration.
Antonio also expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s historic role in supporting Angola’s anti-colonial struggle, emphasizing that the legacy of solidarity laid the foundation for today’s robust bilateral ties.
The newly signed agreement is expected to open fresh avenues for closer official engagement, strengthen diplomatic chemistry between both governments, and translate decades of goodwill into practical, forward-looking cooperation. Read More
