By Michael Oche
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has renewed its call for visa-free movement across Africa, arguing that the removal of travel barriers is essential to boosting trade, creating jobs and accelerating the continent’s economic integration.
Speaking in an interview with journalists in Abuja, ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Joel Odigie, said African governments, particularly Nigeria, must take concrete steps to facilitate the free movement of people if initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area are to achieve their full potential.
According to him, migration, workers’ mobility and the protection of migrant workers cannot be separated from the broader objective of integrating Africa economically, socially and politically.
Odigie said Nigeria, given its population size, economic influence and historical role on the continent, should be at the forefront of efforts to promote African integration.
He noted that while Nigeria’s foreign policy has traditionally placed Africa at its centre, the country’s leadership role in continental affairs has diminished over time.
“We need to recover the confidence, leadership and influence that once made Nigeria a rallying point for African development and cooperation,” he said.
The labour leader argued that one of the most practical ways to advance integration is through the removal of visa restrictions among African countries.
He commended the Federal Government for introducing an online visa platform, describing it as a positive step toward easing travel. However, he maintained that more ambitious measures are required.
According to him, countries that have already opened their borders to Africans should enjoy reciprocal treatment from Nigeria and other African states.
He cited countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana and Togo as examples of nations making progress toward freer movement across the continent.
“How do we claim to support African integration while maintaining restrictive visa regimes against fellow Africans?” he asked.
Odigie stressed that visa-free travel would generate significant economic benefits by encouraging tourism, investment and cross-border business partnerships.
He explained that visitors contribute directly to local economies through spending on accommodation, transportation, food and other services, creating employment opportunities and increasing government revenues.
Beyond the immediate economic gains, he said freer movement would help reshape perceptions about countries such as Nigeria by allowing more Africans to interact directly with its people, culture and business environment.
The ITUC-Africa chief further argued that the success of AfCFTA depends not only on reducing tariffs but also on removing barriers that prevent Africans from moving freely across the continent.
“Goods move because people move. Investment expands because entrepreneurs travel. Businesses grow because workers, skills and ideas cross borders,” he said.
From a labour perspective, he noted that deeper integration would expand employment opportunities, facilitate skills transfer and enable workers to access opportunities across national borders.
However, he stressed that integration must be people-centred and accompanied by strong protections for workers’ rights, social protection and decent work standards.
Odigie also called on African governments to strengthen support systems for migrant workers through improved awareness and utilisation of Migrant Resource Centres.
He said many Nigerians remain unaware of the services available through such centres, despite the risks many migrants face, including exploitation, discrimination and abuse.
According to him, governments must invest in public awareness campaigns and ensure that migrants have access to reliable information before departure, during transit and upon arrival at their destinations.
The labour leader further linked migration pressures to economic challenges across the continent, including unemployment, rising living costs, poor infrastructure and inadequate social protection systems.
He argued that governments must focus on creating decent jobs, supporting productive sectors and expanding economic opportunities if they hope to reduce irregular and desperate migration.
On the issue of xenophobia, Odigie condemned discrimination against African migrants, describing it as a threat to the continent’s integration agenda.
He urged governments, citizens and the African Union to tackle the root causes of anti-migrant sentiments rather than blaming migrants for economic and social challenges.
According to him, migrants often contribute significantly to economic growth by investing, establishing businesses and creating jobs in their host countries.
Odigie said the vision of a united Africa can only be achieved through greater cooperation, mobility and solidarity among African peoples.
“I want to see an Africa where a young Nigerian can work in Kenya as easily as in Lagos; where migrants are respected, not feared; and where opportunities are created at home so that migration becomes a choice rather than a necessity,” he said.
He maintained that visa-free movement, stronger worker protections and deeper economic integration remain critical to building a prosperous and inclusive Africa.
