Nigeria and Angola have signed a bilateral settlement waiving visa necessities for holders of diplomatic and official passports, marking what each governments described as a sensible step in the direction of deeper ties between the 2 nations.
The settlement and a memorandum of understanding had been signed on Sunday, February 15, 2026, on the margins of the thirty ninth Session of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s minister of international affairs, signed on behalf of Abuja, whereas Téte António, Angola’s minister of exterior relations, signed for Luanda.
Talking after the ceremony, Tuggar described the deal as lengthy overdue and vital for strengthening cooperation.
“That is an settlement that’s lengthy in coming. It is extremely vital. It is going to permit authorities officers between Angola and Nigeria to maneuver freely with none hindrance or encumbrance. That is the very basis of additional strengthening the connection between Nigeria and Angola,” he stated.
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He added that simpler motion for officers may unlock wider financial alternatives.
“When authorities officers transfer freely then they create alternatives for the personal sector and others to be free. Our hope and prayer is that in a not too distant future, Nigerians and Angolans will be capable of transfer freely between the nations,” Tuggar stated.
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The signing befell in Addis Ababa, a metropolis that carries historic which means in Nigeria’s international coverage. Tuggar recalled that Murtala Muhammed, former Nigerian head of state, delivered a landmark tackle within the Ethiopian capital outlining Nigeria’s political help for Angola throughout its wrestle in opposition to colonial rule.
In his remarks, António expressed appreciation for what he referred to as Nigeria’s principled management throughout Africa’s anti colonial struggles. He stated Nigeria stood firmly with frontline states and supplied diplomatic backing that contributed to Angola’s liberation.
“This legacy of solidarity laid the muse for the sturdy bilateral relationship we take pleasure in in the present day,” António stated.
The visa waiver applies to diplomatic and official passport holders from each nations. Officers say it’s anticipated to ease excessive stage engagements, strengthen authorities to authorities cooperation and create momentum for broader agreements sooner or later.
Each ministers signalled that the transfer could possibly be step one in the direction of wider visa liberalisation, although no timeline has been introduced.
