Abuja: The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that Nigeria will continue to enhance its bilateral relations with Trkiye, with a focus on visa facilitation and business mobility. This statement was made during a meeting with the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, at the Ministry of Interior Headquarters in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized the strong historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Trkiye, which serve as a foundation for deeper collaboration. He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international cooperation that promotes people-to-people contact and legitimate business activities. The Minister assured that the denial of visas to genuine Nigerian or Turkish business individuals was against the interests of both nations and underscored the Ministry’s dedication to transparency and dialogue in visa administration.
The Turkish Ambassador, Mehmet Poroy, commended the recent advancements in visa processing for Nigerian business travelers to Trkiye. He noted that these improvements resulted from the collaboration between Turkish authorities and Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior, allowing for locally processed applications and expedited timelines of three to four days for verified business persons.
Ambassador Poroy also addressed challenges faced by Turkish business individuals interested in visiting Nigeria, citing inconsistent information regarding Nigerian visa procedures for Turkish citizens. He requested written clarification to aid applicants in understanding the process. Furthermore, he proposed the inclusion of Trkiye in Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-visa) system to alleviate logistical challenges posed by the absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul.
The meeting also discussed the recognition of Nigerian marriage certificates by foreign missions, with both parties agreeing to maintain engagement and deepen cooperation to further strengthen the diplomatic ties and bilateral relations between Nigeria and Trkiye.