Renowned Kenyan scholar and Pan-Africanist, Prof. PLO Lumumba, has called on the Federal Government to abolish visa restrictions for Africans travelling into Nigeria, arguing that such barriers hinder continental integration, trade and the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Lumumba made the call on Monday at the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, where he addressed Vice President Kashim Shettima and other dignitaries.
The former Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission said Africa could not achieve meaningful economic integration while maintaining restrictive immigration policies among member states.
“Your Excellency, the Vice President, Nigeria is the largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. I look forward to the day when an investor from Ethiopia can board a plane and arrive in Asaba without visas, landing cards or exit cards,” he said.
“I look forward to the day when there will be no visa requirements for an African coming into this country,” he added.
Drawing comparisons with Europe’s borderless movement system, Lumumba said Africa must embrace easier movement across countries to encourage trade, investment and economic cooperation.
“Today, you can move from Slovakia to Portugal using the same currency and with minimal restrictions. But here in Africa, moving from one country to another remains unnecessarily difficult. We cannot build a competitive economy while remaining so fragmented,” he said.
The Pan-Africanist also urged African nations to look inward by promoting investments from within the continent rather than relying excessively on foreign capital.
“When we think about investment, we still imagine that our investors must come from Malaysia, Brazil or China. That is not the case,” he said.
Lumumba called for greater participation of African investors in economic development, saying future investment summits should attract entrepreneurs and investors from across the continent.
“The next time this summit is held, I want to see Kenyans here, Ghanaians here, Ethiopians here, Moroccans here and Egyptians here. Africans must begin to believe that they possess both the intellectual capacity and the financial resources needed to develop their own continent,” he stated.
He also challenged the Delta State Government to adopt Norway’s approach to managing petroleum resources by investing proceeds from oil wealth for future generations.
“The Governor has reminded us of what Norway has done with its petroleum resources. Today, Norway has built one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. The question for Delta State is simple: Can you do the same? The issue is not simply producing oil; the issue is whether you are using those resources wisely,” he said.
Lumumba noted that Delta State’s economy was already larger than those of several African countries, stressing that its vast resources must be strategically developed to meet the demands of the modern economy.
“Delta State’s economy is already larger than those of more than 20 African countries. The real question is this: with all the resources you possess—agriculture, minerals, oil, pharmaceuticals and the blue economy—what are you doing that is consistent with the demands of the 21st century?” he asked.
He further highlighted the importance of reliable energy supply to industrial growth, describing electricity as a foundation for sustainable development.
“Development is impossible without energy. If you do not have energy, you are going nowhere. Energy must remain one of your highest priorities,” Lumumba added.
