President Bola Tinubu and President Paul Kagame agreed Wednesday to deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Rwanda.
Meeting at the Urugwiro Presidential Villa in Kigali ahead of the Africa CEO Forum, the two leaders resolved to revive the Joint Permanent Ministerial Commission (JPMC).
The commission, originally established in 2021, is designed to serve as a primary platform for the two nations to collaborate on shared strategic objectives.
Tinubu announced that Nigeria will host the commission's next meeting and signaled a potential shift in immigration policy.
He stated that Nigeria would "seriously consider" reciprocating Rwanda’s 30-day visa-free status for Nigerians, framed as a move to bolster Pan-African integration.
The presidents also discussed activating pending agreements focused on tourism, anti-corruption, and the fight against illicit drugs.
On the economic front, the leaders discussed operationalizing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
To support this, Nigeria is currently in talks with RwandAir to expand export opportunities, following the establishment of a similar air cargo corridor with Uganda Airways last year.
The diplomatic push comes amid broader shifts in the Nigerian healthcare sector.
Earlier this week in Abuja, nursing leaders warned that more than 57,000 nurses have fled Nigeria’s "fragile" healthcare system since 2021, citing poor pay and insecurity as primary drivers of the exodus.
The Africa CEO Forum is scheduled to begin on Thursday, with both presidents expected to join other continental leaders to discuss regional integration and private sector investment.
