Tinubu, Kagame move to deepen Nigeria-Rwanda relations
President Bola Tinubu and President Paul Kagame have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Rwanda, with both leaders pledging to revive key diplomatic and economic cooperation frameworks.
The agreement was reached on Wednesday during a meeting at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa in Kigali, shortly after President Tinubu arrived in Rwanda for the Africa CEO Forum.
Both leaders emphasised the need to revive the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission (JPMC), first signed in 2021, as a platform for advancing shared objectives between the two countries.
“Both leaders emphasised the importance of reviving the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission (JPMC), originally signed by both countries in 2021, as a vital platform for advancing their shared objectives,” the presidency said in a statement.
The two presidents also agreed that Nigeria would host the next meeting of the commission.
On consular relations, President Tinubu said Nigeria would consider introducing a reciprocal 30-day visa-free policy for Rwandan citizens, matching Rwanda’s current arrangement for Nigerians.
“President Tinubu stated that Nigeria will seriously consider reciprocating Rwanda’s 30-day visa-free status for Nigerians in the spirit of Pan-Africanism,” the statement added.
The talks also focused on the activation of pending Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in tourism, anti-corruption, and efforts to combat illicit drugs.
