All Africans wishing to travel to Nigeria will now be able to get a visa on arrival.

President Muhammadu Buhari made the announcement on Wednesday in Egypt, which is hosting the inaugural Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development. 

The 76-year-old said the move was part of a commitment by his administration to ensure freedom of movement across the continent. He said the directive will take effect from January 2020.

"Nigeria is committed to supporting the free movement of Africans within Africa. Yesterday at the Aswan Forum in Egypt I announced that, in January 2020, we will commence issuance of visas at the point of entry into Nigeria, to all persons holding passports of African countries," President Buhari wrote on Twitter.

Currently, only citizens of countries that belong to the regional group Economic Community of West Africa States-(ECOWAS) have visa-free access to Nigeria.

President Buhari's announcement comes amid increasing pressure on African leaders to integrate the continent. Integration is seen as a key component of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, which is aimed at boosting the continent's opportunities and economies. 

The AfCFTA was adopted in 2018 with hopes of turning the continent into the world's largest free trade area.

(With input from BBC)