Turkey has requested to be included in Nigeria’s electronic visa system as part of efforts to ease travel and boost business and diplomatic exchanges between both countries.
The request was made on Tuesday when the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, at the Ministry of Interior headquarters in Abuja.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Tuesday by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Mary Ali.
Ali said the ambassador explained that the absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul poses logistical challenges for Turkish applicants, who must travel to Ankara to complete visa processes.
He said inclusion in Nigeria’s e-visa regime would significantly improve business mobility and encourage more Turkish investors and traders to visit Nigeria.
“Ambassador Poroy raised concerns regarding Turkish businesspeople seeking to visit Nigeria for trade fairs, investments, and other commercial activities. He noted conflicting information on Nigerian visa arrangements for Turkish citizens and requested written clarification to guide applicants accurately.
“A key request made during the meeting was the inclusion of Turkey in Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-visa) system. The Ambassador explained that the absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul creates logistical challenges, as applicants must travel to Ankara, and inclusion in the e-visa regime would significantly enhance business mobility,” the statement partly read.
Responding, Tunji-Ojo said restricting genuine business travellers was not in the interest of either Nigeria or Turkey, assuring that the ministry is committed to transparency, dialogue and continuous improvement in visa administration.
“Tunji-Ojo assured that denying visas to genuine Nigerian or Turkish businesspeople is not in the interest of either country. He emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, dialogue, and continuous improvement in visa administration, while reaffirming Nigeria’s openness to legitimate investors and international business partners, ” the statement said.
The minister also clarified that all marriage certificates issued under Nigerian law are constitutionally valid and do not require additional verification.
“The meeting also addressed the recognition of Nigerian marriage certificates by foreign missions. The Minister clarified that all marriage certificates issued under Nigerian law are constitutionally valid and should not require additional verification.
“Ambassador Poroy acknowledged the concern and committed to reviewing the Embassy’s procedures, as both parties agreed to sustained engagement to strengthen bilateral cooperation and diplomatic relations,” the statement added.
Nigeria and Turkey have been deepening diplomatic and economic relations, driven by rising trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
The meeting between the Turkish ambassador and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior forms part of ongoing efforts to improve visa processing for business travellers, making visa facilitation a central pillar of their bilateral cooperation.
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