President Muhammadu Buhari and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, yesterday, signed an agreement on issuing 10-year visas to businessmen, academics and frequent travellers.
Spokesman for the president, Mr. Garba Shehu, said in a statement that the agreement was reached during a meeting co-chaired by Buhari and Ramaphosa in South Africa.
He said the deal was a follow-up to the successful conclusion of the 9th Bi-National Commission of South Africa and Nigeria meeting in Pretoria, South Africa.
He said the decision was taken to encourage more people-to-people contacts among citizens of both countries and further strengthen socio-cultural, economic and political relations.
He also said the two African leaders agreed on early warning signs to nip violence in the bud before it escalates, while taking into consideration the need to share more intelligence and promote stronger partnership in security.
“Both countries also agreed to re-establish the consular forum, which is a structured arrangement where both governments meet regularly, at least twice in a year to discuss the welfare of citizens.
“The Nigerian minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and South African minister of international relations and cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, signed the minutes of the 9th session of Bi-National Commission,” Shehu added.
