Turkey has asked Nigeria to include Turkish citizens in its electronic visa (e-visa) system in a move aimed at simplifying visa procedures and strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
The request was made by Turkey’s ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, during a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to Nigeria’s interior ministry, the Turkish envoy said the absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul creates difficulties for Turkish applicants, who currently have to travel to Ankara to complete visa formalities. He noted that inclusion in Nigeria’s e-visa system would make business travel easier for Turkish investors.
Mr Tunji-Ojo said restricting visas for genuine business travellers was not in the interest of either country.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to transparent and efficient visa administration, while emphasising the country’s openness to legitimate investors.
The two sides also discussed speeding up visa processing for Nigerian business travellers to Turkey, improving clarity on visa requirements for Turkish investors visiting Nigeria, and document verification procedures.
The minister clarified that all marriage certificates issued under Nigerian law are legally valid and do not require additional authentication.
Both countries agreed to continue working towards practical and transparent visa policies and closer diplomatic cooperation.
In November, Turkey authorised its embassy in Abuja to issue visas directly to Nigerian business travellers, a move Ankara described as a major step in boosting economic relations between the two nations.
