Turkey has formally requested that Nigeria include Turkish citizens in its electronic visa system, a development aimed at simplifying travel procedures and deepening economic cooperation between the two nations.
The appeal was made by Mehmet Poroy, Turkey’s ambassador to Nigeria, during a meeting with Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, in Abuja on Tuesday. The discussion centred on removing bureaucratic obstacles that have hindered seamless travel for business investors and strengthening the diplomatic framework governing visa administration between both countries.
According to a statement issued by Mary Ali, the ministry’s head of press and public relations, Poroy emphasised that the absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul has created logistical difficulties for Turkish applicants, who are currently required to travel to Ankara to complete their visa applications. The ambassador argued that granting Turkey access to Nigeria’s e-visa platform would ease the burden on Turkish investors and facilitate smoother business travel.
“Tunji-Ojo assured that denying visas to genuine Nigerian or Turkish businesspeople is not in the interest of either country,” the statement reads. “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 meeting also addressed reciprocal concerns regarding visa processing for Nigerian business travellers to Turkey, with both sides acknowledging the need for faster and more predictable procedures. Poroy and Tunji-Ojo discussed issues relating to visa clarity for Turkish investors visiting Nigeria, as well as concerns over the verification of documents, including marriage certificates submitted as part of visa applications.
Tunji-Ojo clarified that all marriage certificates issued under Nigerian law are constitutionally valid and should not require additional verification, a statement that appeared to address lingering administrative uncertainties that have occasionally delayed visa approvals. The minister’s remarks underscored the government’s position that legitimate documentation issued by Nigerian institutions must be respected within the visa framework.
The discussions reflect a broader effort by both nations to harmonise their visa policies and reduce friction points that have constrained trade and investment flows. Nigeria’s e-visa system, which allows eligible foreign nationals to apply for visas online without visiting embassies or consulates, has been gradually expanded to include citizens of select countries as part of efforts to modernise immigration processes and attract foreign investment.
Turkey’s request to join the system comes amid growing economic engagement between Ankara and Abuja. Turkish companies have maintained a visible presence in Nigeria’s construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors, while Nigerian businesses have increasingly explored opportunities in Turkey’s textile, agricultural, and technology industries. Simplifying visa procedures is seen as a critical step in facilitating greater movement of business executives, investors, and trade delegations between the two nations.
In November, Poroy announced that Turkey had authorised its embassy in Abuja to issue visas directly to Nigerian business travellers without seeking prior clearance from Ankara, a significant policy shift designed to accelerate visa processing times. The ambassador described the measure as a major boost for economic cooperation, noting that it would reduce delays and encourage more frequent business exchanges.
That decision mirrored Nigeria’s own efforts to streamline visa issuance for foreign nationals, particularly those from countries with substantial investment interests in Africa’s largest economy. The expansion of the e-visa system has been part of a broader immigration reform agenda championed by the Ministry of Interior, which has sought to balance security considerations with the need to project Nigeria as an investment-friendly destination.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to transparent and practical visa policies, openness to legitimate investors, and broader diplomatic cooperation. The statement from the Ministry of Interior indicated that further consultations would take place to explore the technical and administrative requirements for integrating Turkey into Nigeria’s e-visa framework.
The push for improved visa arrangements between Nigeria and Turkey is consistent with wider trends across Africa, where governments are increasingly adopting digital visa systems to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and enhance competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investment. Countries including Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia have implemented similar platforms, often citing improved efficiency and revenue collection as key benefits.
For Turkey, gaining access to Nigeria’s e-visa system would represent a practical advancement in its longstanding diplomatic and economic engagement with Africa. Ankara has pursued a deliberate policy of deepening ties with African nations over the past two decades, establishing numerous embassies, expanding trade volumes, and positioning itself as a non-traditional partner in infrastructure development and humanitarian assistance across the continent.
For Nigeria, the move aligns with the government’s stated objectives of diversifying the economy, attracting investment, and modernising public service delivery through digital platforms. The Ministry of Interior has emphasised that visa reforms are not intended to compromise national security but to ensure that genuine investors and travellers face minimal delays while maintaining robust screening mechanisms.
The outcome of the bilateral discussions is expected to be closely monitored by business communities in both countries, particularly sectors reliant on cross-border partnerships and frequent travel. Turkish investors in Nigeria have previously raised concerns about unpredictable visa processing timelines, while Nigerian business travellers have occasionally encountered similar challenges when seeking Turkish visas.
