Kenya protests Nigeria's tough entry rules amid visa-free policy row

Kenya protests Nigeria's tough entry rules amid visa-free policy row - Principal Secretary in the State Department for Foreign Affairs Dr Korir Sing’Oei. (Photo: State Department for Foreign Affairs)

The protest was triggered by growing public outrage over the bureaucratic nightmare Kenyans face when applying to visit Nigeria following a viral post on X by a user identified as W_Asherah.

Kenya has formally protested the treatment of its citizens seeking entry into Nigeria, exposing a glaring asymmetry in one of Africa’s most important bilateral relationships.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing’Oei confirmed on Tuesday that Nairobi is pursuing "diplomatic and political interventions" to resolve the issue.

His frustration was that Kenya grants Nigerians visa-free entry, but the gesture is not being reciprocated. He described the hurdles facing Kenyans as "unwarranted."

The protest was triggered by growing public outrage over the bureaucratic nightmare Kenyans face when applying to visit Nigeria following a viral post on X by a user identified as W_Asherah.

Asherah detailed how a colleague attending a conference in Nigeria was forced to provide a mountain of extensive documentation, including the passport of the person inviting them.

Furthermore, she noted that the Nigerian visa application process was taking longer and was more rigorous than applying for a United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), or Schengen visa.

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Her experience resonated widely. Many Kenyan travellers echoed her frustrations, citing hefty, unexplained fees, rigid and unfair processes, and even harassment by Nigerian officials upon arrival.

At the heart of this dispute is a paradox that haunts African integration.

Kenya has positioned itself as a champion of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union's free movement agenda. It has removed visa requirements for most African citizens, including Nigerians, as a symbol of Pan-African solidarity.

Nigerian citizens can therefore board a plane to Nairobi with minimal friction, while Kenyan businesspeople, diplomats, and academics must endure gruelling scrutiny to enter Lagos or Abuja.

Why is Nigeria so restrictive? The answers are complex. Nigeria has long struggled with security challenges and immigration control, making its authorities deeply suspicious of open borders.