The visa itself costs $25 but Nigeria charges a $20 "processing fee" and $170 for biometrics every time. My fingerprints haven't changed since I was here 3 weeks ago, why am I paying $170 to have them taken and to pose for a picture each time I visit? Isn't that a standard part of admitting someone into a country?
How can we achieve about a borderless Africa, or the promise of the AfCFTA, if we charge Africans $215 for a single-entry visa?
In the 3 weeks since I was last in Lagos, I went to Uganda, South Africa and Ghana where I don't need a visa with a Kenyan passport. In fact, I've also been to South Africa 3 times this year. It cost me $0, like the ancestors intended.
Nigeria's visa-on-arrival system is similar to the "visa-free" delusion of Kenya's Electronic Travel Authorization - you apply in advance, submit some documents and wait for it to be approved. It can take up to 5 business days. If you know "someone," you can pay them $50 or more to "facilitate" a faster approval.
I love Nigeria, but the visa situation is showing me shege. It's too much oo! Why this Shege Pro Max?”
- Larry Madowo CNN International Correspondent.
Watch video and one photo below.
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