The organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ambassador Ikechi Uko, has commended the Nigerian government for the support and prompt resolution of the visa issues for its foreign delegates.

Uko, who shared his relief that the knotty issue of Nigerian visa was solved, said, “I had made a post about my frustrations with visa for the delegates coming from all over Africa to attend Akwaaba Travel Market as the online visa on arrival was very expensive and the Nigerian embassies in East Africa were not giving visas, forcing everyone to go online. Some people shared my post with the Minister of Tourism and she called me to find out the details. After explaining the situation to her, she promised to engage her colleague, the Minister of Interior. I am happy to say that between the Ministers of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Tourism Lola Ade-John and the Comptroller General of Immigration, Kemi Nanna Nandap they resolved the issues. The delegates are arriving now and I am happy that resolution is not just for the Akwaaba event but the new measures will be applied across board to all African visitors to Nigeria.”

According to Uko, Meetings Incentives Conferences and Events (MICE) are more obligatory than leisure travel, which is optional and Nigeria stands to benefit more from supporting MICE. The 20th edition of Akwaaba holds from September 22 to 24 at Eko Hotels Convention Centre.