“Nigeria’s Visa fee is outrageous” — CNN reporter fumes

CNN International correspondent Larry Madowo has expressed his dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s visa fees, calling them “outrageous” in a recent post on his LinkedIn account.

Larry Madowo, who holds a Kenyan passport allowing visa-free access to several African nations, highlighted the substantial $215 fee imposed by Nigeria for a single-entry visa.

In his post, Madowo revealed that despite visiting Nigeria three times in the year 2024, he had to pay a total of $645 solely for visa fees.

He criticized the additional charges, including a $20 processing fee and $170 for biometrics, questioning the necessity of repetitive biometric procedures for each visit.

Drawing comparisons with other African countries where he traveled without visa requirements, such as Uganda, South Africa, and Ghana, Larry Madowo emphasized the financial burden imposed by Nigeria’s visa fees.

He also criticized the visa-on-arrival system, likening it to Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorization process, which he described as a “delusion” due to the bureaucratic hurdles and possible facilitation fees.

Despite his affection for Nigeria, Madowo expressed frustration with the visa situation, describing it as excessive and hindering the vision of a borderless Africa and the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Upon verification of the Nigerian Immigration Service portal, it was found that the official application fee for a single-entry visa from Kenyan and US embassies is $25 and $144, respectively, indicating a disparity with the fees Madowo reported.