The Nigerian government and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas have, in a mutual diplomatic consideration, reaffirmed their intention to enter into a deal that seeks to waive visa requirements for holders of official and diplomatic passports from both countries.
The historic agreement was made by the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, during a courtesy visit by Amb. Benaoyagha Okoyen, the High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
The Nigerian Embassy in the country had earlier in the week released statements stating that the state of diplomatic relations between the two countries was cordial and progressive.
The statement reaffirmed the progression of their bilateral relations and supported the agreement between Prime Minister Davis and Amb. Okoyen.
According to Amb. Okoyen, the agreement was meant to improve the entry process for citizens holding valid diplomatic and official passports from Nigeria and the Bahamas.
He stated that the aim of the agreement was to strengthen relations and protect the interests of the two countries.
While in Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas located on the island of New Providence, Amb. Okoyen joined in all sessions held during the Bahamas 2023 Diplomatic Week.
The Bahamas 2023 Diplomatic Week celebrates “50 years of foreign relations and beyond in an independent Bahamas.”
The event was held from October 22 to October 27, 2023.
Amb. Okoyen also took part in a panel discussion focused on “Diplomacy and the Next Generation,” where together with students from schools in the Bahamas and participants from other countries such as the U.S., China, the Bahamas, and Indonesia, they interacted and deliberated on diplomacy and its future.
As part of his final engagement in the Bahamas, Amb. Okoyen visited Ms. Cynthia Pratt, the Governor General of the Bahamas.
He was given a warm welcome at an elaborate event held at the behest of his guest, Ms. Pratt.
Amb. Okoyen’s courtesy visit was essential in relations between Nigeria and the Bahamas, especially as it relates to the new drive towards removal of travel restrictions and instituting seamless travel for diplomats and officials between Nigeria and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Amb. Okoyen, aside from being Nigeria’s ambassador to Cuba, is also the country’s ambassador to the Bahamas, Honduras, and the Republic of Nicaragua.
