Mbabane – Adenike Daramola Joondeph, a travel creator from Authentic Traveling currently touring the Kingdom of Eswatini with her husband Chris Joondeph, has shared her experience of engaging with the Eswatini Tourism Authority while raising concerns around visa access for Nigerian passport holders.
Joondeph, who has travelled to 88 countries on a Nigerian passport, made the remarks during the ongoing media tour hosted by the tourism authority this week. She described her interaction with the local tourism team as positive, while reflecting on earlier challenges she faced when attempting to enter Eswatini.
“Working with the Tourism Board of Eswatini over the past few days has been such a delight. Amazing Team! This is why I never write off any country based on a single experience, such as visa or border issues,” she said.
She explained that her visit to Eswatini came months after a failed attempt to secure a visa while she was travelling in South Africa. According to Joondeph, the process proved difficult due to limited application points available to Nigerian travellers.
“Just a few months ago, I struggled to get an Eswatini visa while in South Africa. After many attempts, I discovered that it’s almost impossible for a normal Nigerian tourist to get an Eswatini visa. Why? Because we could only apply from two central locations assigned to specific countries: the Eswatini Embassy in Kenya and Ethiopia,” she said.
Joondeph noted that while Nigerians can enter Kenya without a visa, accessing Ethiopia for the purpose of applying remains a challenge for many travellers.
“At least Nigerians can visit Kenya visa-free, but getting a tourist visa to Ethiopia as a Nigerian is another nightmare! Imagine my frustration in July, trying to visit beautiful Eswatini while vacationing in South Africa,” she said.
During her current stay, Joondeph said she had an opportunity to raise these concerns directly with senior tourism officials.
“Fast forward to last night: I dined with some of the top executives of the Tourism Board, proudly wearing my Nigerian football jersey and speaking up for all of us,” she said.
She added that her journey as a travel creator has given her a broader understanding of how visa policies affect travellers from different countries.
“Sometimes, I wonder why I have to go through certain struggles on this travel journey, especially after visiting so many countries, when there are stress-free ways to get by with the right connections. Then, God opened my eyes to the realization that He has strategically positioned me as a representative not just to speak up for myself, but for every Nigerian tourist!” she said.
Joondeph said visa restrictions and border policies are often more complex than they appear but believes dialogue can influence change.
“I realized that visa restrictions, border closures for specific nationalities, and even internal policies are deeper than we think. But speaking up, no matter how small, does make a difference,” she said.
She expressed hope that future Nigerian travellers would find it easier to visit Eswatini.
“Tomorrow, when you hear that it has become easier to visit Eswatini as a Nigerian passport holder, know that it was possible because someone spoke up! Silence is a nonverbal way of saying, ‘I validate your actions’ or ‘I’m okay with how you treat me.’ We don’t do that here! One country at a time. One access at a time.”
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