Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador to Nigeria, Deopoldo Rovayo, has said that the South American nation and Nigeria would sign a visa free agreement in no distant time.
The agreement, the Ecuadorian envoy said, was to strengthen the existing diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Speaking after Amb. Rovayo held talks with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olukunle Bamgbose, he was at the Tafawa Balewa House to strengthen bilateral ties between Ecuador and Nigeria, most importantly, in the communication sector.
Rovayo said the visit was also to kick-start an agreement between Nigeria and Ecuador in order to enable nationals from both sides to visit each other’s nation without the issuance of visa.
According to the envoy, the move became necessary due to the number of Nigerians in Ecuador, which he said, were increasing.
Rovayo said about 1000 Nigerians currently reside in Ecuador, noting that that the number will continue to increase.
Responding, Bamgbose assured Amb. Rovayo that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration will work with Ecuador on the modalities to implement the non-visa agreement.
Bamgbose added that the Ecuador and Nigeria agreed on avenues to strengthen ties, even as he noted that both countries were witnessing increase in trade.
Bamgbose assured the envoy that two to three years from now, the growth of the Nigerian economy would surpass that of most countries in Latin America.