Kenya has protested Nigeria’s stringent visa requirements for Kenyan travellers, accusing Abuja of failing to reciprocate Nairobi’s visa-free entry policy for Nigerian citizens.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei confirmed on Tuesday that Kenya was pursuing diplomatic and political interventions to address what he described as “unwarranted” hurdles facing Kenyans seeking to travel to Nigeria.
The dispute has reignited debate over unequal visa arrangements between African countries, with Kenya questioning why its citizens face demanding entry procedures in Nigeria despite Nairobi’s relatively open policy towards Nigerian travellers.
The issue gained momentum following public outrage over the experiences of Kenyans applying for Nigerian visas, sparked by a viral social media post detailing the difficulties involved in the process.
Asherah recounted how a colleague travelling to Nigeria for a conference was required to submit extensive documentation, including a copy of the inviting person’s passport.
She further noted that the Nigerian visa application process was taking longer and proving more demanding than applications for visas to the United Kingdom, the United States and the Schengen area.
Her account triggered widespread reactions from Kenyan travellers, several of whom raised concerns about unexplained fees, cumbersome application procedures and alleged harassment by Nigerian officials upon arrival.
At the centre of the dispute is the question of reciprocity. Kenya has eased entry requirements for citizens of most African countries, including Nigerians, as part of its commitment to regional integration, trade and the African Union’s free movement agenda.
However, Kenyans travelling to Nigeria for business, academic engagements, conferences and other official activities say they continue to face extensive documentation requirements and delays.
The arrangement has raised concerns that Kenya is extending greater travel privileges to Nigerian citizens than Nigerians are extending to Kenyans, potentially disadvantaging Kenyan professionals and businesses seeking opportunities in West Africa’s largest economy.
Nigeria’s restrictive approach is partly linked to its longstanding security concerns and efforts to strengthen immigration controls.
However, these considerations have intensified calls for a more balanced arrangement that facilitates legitimate travel without compromising national security.
For Kenya, the dispute goes beyond visa applications. It touches on the broader Pan-African ambition of making it easier for Africans to travel, trade and work across the continent.
Nairobi’s diplomatic intervention will now test whether the two countries can resolve their differences and establish more reciprocal entry arrangements for their citizens.
