Nigeria and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas have solidified their commitment to sign a visa waiver agreement specifically tailored for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders from both nations.
The landmark commitment was made by the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, during a courtesy visit from Ambassador Benaoyagha Okoyen, the High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
This significant development, as announced in a statement from the Nigerian Embassy in Havana on Wednesday, underscores the ongoing diplomatic ties and cooperation between the two nations.
Ambassador Okoyen’s visit to Prime Minister Davis was conducted in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas, Mr. Fred Mitchell, in Nassau on Monday.
Ambassador Okoyen, who serves as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cuba with concurrent accreditation to the Bahamas, the Republic of Nicaragua, and Honduras, played a pivotal role in advancing discussions on the proposed visa waiver agreement.
The purpose of this agreement is to streamline the entry process for citizens holding valid diplomatic and official passports from both governments.
The ultimate objective is to strengthen the friendly relations between Nigeria and the Bahamas, while safeguarding the interests of both nations.
During his stay in Nassau, Ambassador Okoyen participated in various sessions of the Bahamas 2023 Diplomatic Week, which celebrated “50 years of Foreign Relations and beyond in an independent Bahamas” from October 22 to 27, 2023.
He also engaged in a hybrid High-Level Panel Discussion on “Diplomacy and the Next Generation,” collaborating with representatives from the Bahamas, China, Indonesia, the USA, and students from various local schools.
The high commissioner also paid a courtesy visit to the Governor-General of the Bahamas, Ms. Cynthia Pratt, as he formally concluded his visit to the host authority in the Bahamas, receiving a warm farewell.
This development marks a significant step towards enhancing diplomatic relations and facilitating travel for diplomats and officials between Nigeria and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.