By Aquarian Consult Limited,Promise Dera
Copyright nigerianeye
Nigeria has extended visa-free entry to citizens of St. Kitts & Nevis, effective September 26, 2025.
This historic decision marks the first time Nigeria has granted such access to a non-African nation, encompassing holders of ordinary, official, and diplomatic passports.
The policy, announced following the Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit (AACIS ’25) held earlier this year in Abuja, is expected to boost trade, investment, and cultural exchange between the two nations.
Organized by Aquarian Consult Limited (ACL), the summit catalyzed high-level engagements that paved the way for this agreement. Aisha Maina, ACL’s Managing Director, hailed the development as a triumph of strategic diplomacy.
“This visa waiver is more than diplomacy; it is about opening doors for trade, investment, and cultural exchange. At ACL, we are proud to have played a role in turning dialogue into action,” she stated.
Until now, Nigeria’s visa-free policy primarily applied to citizens of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries, with Cameroon and Chad as the only non-ECOWAS African nations included.
The extension to St. Kitts & Nevis reflects Nigeria’s ambition to forge targeted partnerships beyond the continent, particularly with the Caribbean.
Diplomatic relations have gained momentum since March 2025, when St. Kitts & Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew met with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
That same month, a historic charter flight carrying 120 Nigerian delegates landed in Basseterre, establishing the first direct air link between West Africa and the Caribbean.
The visa waiver aligns with ongoing bilateral cooperation in key sectors such as agribusiness, technology, and the creative economy.
At the Afri-Caribbean Business Expo in Basseterre, investors explored trade opportunities, while discussions between Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister, Senator Abubakar Kyari, and St. Kitts & Nevis Agriculture Minister, Samal Duggins, in Abuja focused on enhancing food security and trade facilitation.
The policy is expected to enhance mobility, spur tourism, and create new avenues for people-to-people exchanges, positioning both nations for mutual economic growth.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
