Speaker Abbas seeks Nigeria-Algeria visa policy review, stronger ties

Speaker Abbas seeks Nigeria-Algeria visa policy review, stronger ties

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has called for a review of the visa policy between Nigeria and Algeria towards a better bilateral relationship between the two African countries.

Speaker Abbas made the call during his meeting with the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, His Excellency, Mr. Ahmed Attaf, as part of his ongoing working visit to the North African country.

The Speaker specifically recommended that both Nigerian and Algerian Parliaments work towards a bilateral visa facilitation framework, including visa-free access for diplomatic and official passport holders and streamlined visa processes for ordinary citizens, business leaders, students, researchers, and cultural exchanges.

While commending the Algerian minister for sharing the commitment to advancing Nigeria–Algeria cooperation, the Speaker recalled when Attaf met with Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar earlier in August and agreed to strengthen diplomatic relations with the revitalisation of the Binational Commission to advance strategic cooperation between both nations.

Speaker Abbas also suggested that the parliaments of both countries should strategise on how to fast-track the revival of this Commission to provide a structured framework for sustained bilateral cooperation.

The Speaker also recalled that during his last visit, Minister Tuggar performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Nigerian Embassy chancery in Algiers to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to improving relations and providing better consular services, and affirmed the parliament’s readiness to support the initiative through legislative backing and oversight.

Speaker Abbas also reaffirmed Nigeria’s legislative support and commitment to the successful completion of the massive Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project, while assuring the Algerian minister of Nigeria’s willingness to mobilise support for the project from other West African parliaments whose countries are involved in the project.

Noting that both Nigeria and Algeria are members of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the Speaker highlighted how parliamentary cooperation can support the removal of legislative barriers to trade such as customs duties and visa challenges for businesspeople Speaker Abbas also stressed the need to combat regional security challenges in the Sahel caused by terrorism, climate change, and political instability, while emphasising the need for parliamentary strategy and legislative support towards military and regional cooperation.

After acknowledging Nigeria’s support for Algeria’s leading role in the Joint Operational Staff Committee established to combat terrorism, especially its mediation efforts in the region, the Speaker stated the importance of peaceful settlements for regional conflicts.

He also noted the value of joint parliamentary resolutions to support the African Union’s peace efforts and continental frameworks on governance and human rights. 

Speaker Abbas further expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation between the Foreign Affairs Committees of both legislatures, even as the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs are advancing bilateral cooperation.

He stressed that both parliaments can help ensure consistency between foreign policy and legislative priorities, especially as they concern regional integration, peace, and migration.

Speaker Abbas also used the occasion to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Algeria, while expressing optimism that “the future will bring us even closer for the benefit of both countries and the continent of Africa.