President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and reactivate key frameworks for closer cooperation between Nigeria and Rwanda.
According to a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu met Kagame at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa in Kigali shortly after arriving in Rwanda for the Africa CEO Forum.
Both leaders stressed the importance of reviving the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission (JPMC), first signed in 2021, describing it as a crucial platform for advancing shared diplomatic and economic priorities. They also agreed that Nigeria would host the next session of the commission.
On consular matters, President Tinubu said Nigeria would consider reciprocating Rwanda’s 30-day visa-free policy for Nigerian citizens, in line with broader Pan-African integration goals.
The two presidents also discussed activating outstanding Memoranda of Understanding covering areas such as tourism, illicit drug control, and anti-corruption cooperation, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to regional integration, mutual respect, and shared prosperity.
They further explored ways to operationalise the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) between both countries, reiterating support for expanded intra-African trade.
Nigeria, which recently established an air cargo corridor with Uganda Airlines, is also in talks with RwandAir to improve export access for Nigerian businesses across the continent.
The Africa CEO Forum is scheduled to begin on Thursday.
