CNN correspondent, Larry Madowo, calls out Nigerian government over $645 visa charges while Ghana, South Africa, and Uganda offer free entry

CNN correspondent, Larry Madowo, has called out Nigerian government over $645 visa charges while Ghana, South Africa, and Uganda offer free entry.

Nigeria just charged me $215 for a 1-month, single entry visa. Again. I was here 3 weeks ago – paid the same $215. This is actually my 3rd time in Nigeria this year, so they have made $645 from me in 2024 alone.

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?