Nigeria and Angola has signed an agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Official/Service Passports on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Nigerian delegation was headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, while the Angolan delegation was led by the Minister of International Relations, Ambassador Tete Antonio.
In his brief remarks, Ambassador Tuggar expressed satisfaction at the eventual signing of the Agreement, noting that the initiative had been long overdue and represented a timely step in strengthening bilateral engagement.
He emphasized that the Agreement would significantly enhance diplomatic and official relations between the two brotherly countries by easing travel procedures for holders of diplomatic and official/service passports.
According to him, the visa exemption arrangement will facilitate smoother official exchanges, deepen institutional cooperation, and create broader opportunities for joint initiatives, dialogue, and partnership.
He further informed the gathering that relations between Nigeria and Angola are rooted in a long and shared history, dating back to the period of ideological conflict between the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) in Angola.
He recalled Nigeria’s principled and outspoken role during that era, highlighted by the landmark statement delivered by former Nigerian Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, titled “Africa Has Come of Age.”
Ambassador Tete Antonio conveyed profound appreciation for the enduring and historic bond between Angola and Nigeria, particularly recalling the period of anti-colonial struggle and the quest for national independence across the continent.
He underscored Nigeria’s principled leadership role in West Africa and noted that it stood firmly with frontline States, providing strong diplomatic and political backing that contributed meaningfully to Angola’s liberation efforts.
He stressed that this legacy of solidarity laid the foundation for the robust bilateral relationship enjoyed today. Ambassador Antonio described the newly signed Agreement as a practical and forward-looking milestone that will further consolidate the long-standing historical and diplomatic ties between both countries.
Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie
