As ECOWAS celebrates its 50th anniversary with slogans of unity and visa-free movement, citizens are asking a critical question—is West Africa truly visa-free? The answer, it appears, is far from simple.
“Sounds very good! But let’s pause for a while and ask ourselves this very sincere question: is it really Free-Visa within the West African sub-region?”
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), established to foster unity and regional integration, boasts of free movement of persons and goods among its 15 member states. However, the real-life experience of many travelers—especially Nigerians—tells a different story.
Take Togo, for example. A traveler with a Nigerian passport and valid vaccination card is reportedly charged over N30,000 (approx. $20) just to pass through on their way to Ghana. This begs the question— does this reflect a visa-free policy?
“In Togo alone, with a virgin Nigerian passport and your vaccination card, you would be compared to pay over N30k… just for passing through their country as a Nigerian going to Ghana… Does that look like Visa-free?”
Even more alarming is the report from Senegal’s land border. Nigerian travelers recount being segregated by nationality and charged different fees, undermining the ECOWAS free-movement agreement.
“We were stopped by the Senegalese immigration, who started separating us country by country… and were charged according to the country of origin before any immigrant can enter their country. Is that Free-Visa?”
While some may dismiss this as an isolated incident, similar experiences are echoed across the region—from Benin to the chaotic Seme border, notorious for its multiple roadblocks and exploitative enforcement agencies.
The treatment of Nigerians within the ECOWAS bloc raises questions about mutual respect, fairness, and leadership.
“It’s unfortunate. But the truth is that ECOWAS have lost respect for Nigeria.”
According to travelers, Nigeria seems to bear the brunt of ECOWAS responsibilities yet suffers the worst treatment. Nigerian borders are reportedly more lenient with foreigners than Nigerian citizens are treated abroad.
“In Nigeria border, Nigerians pays to enter and in most cases, foreigners pay less cos our own immigration pity them. Fish gets rotten from the head.”
The perception is that Nigerians are being exploited, even with valid documentation, while smaller member states question the large-scale migration of Nigerians across the sub-region, despite the country’s wealth.
“All smaller member states of ECOWAS wonder why citizens of Nigeria scattered all over places in search of daily bread when they know Nigeria is super rich. Why is it so?”
The writer does not seek to condemn ECOWAS or its efforts but urges collective introspection and action against injustice.
“Please, I like practicality and objectivity. I come in peace, and I am not condemning anyone, but urging us to always tell ourselves the truth and collectively fight any form of injustice from the right sources and using the instrument of the law, rather than promoting what is not!”
As ECOWAS moves into its next decade, it must address these systemic flaws. Real unity requires equal treatment, fairness, and enforcement of agreed policies—not just slogans and branded T-shirts.
No amount of lamentation can change this—only action can.
