Zambian authorities say no commonwealth or African statute compels the Southern African country to exclude Nigeria from the free visa countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Given Lubinda in an interview in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, explains that ordinarily Zambia has never changed its principle position regarding visa application requirements for Nigerians.

Ironically, despite Nigeria having relaxed its visa application requirements for Zambians, Nigerians are still required to apply for visas at Zambian Missions abroad, which has never been officially endorsed on a country to country basis.

Lubinda further adds that no commonwealth or African statute compels his country to exclude Nigeria from the free visa requirement until at the point of entry.

This is contrary to media reports that Zambia has excluded Nigeria among the African and Commonwealth countries that do not require visa to enter the country.

Africa's most populous nation of more than 140 million has enjoyed the excellent trade and investment ties with the Southern African in recent years, the reason Lubinda is willing to engage that country’s authorities on the matter to reduce on misunderstanding.

Dangote Group of Companies is Nigeria’s largest investment in Zambia with total investment of about $400 million through its setting up of a cement plant and polypropylene sack manufacturing company in that country.