Turkey has formally requested that Nigeria include Turkish citizens in its electronic visa (e-visa) system to simplify visa processing and strengthen bilateral relations between both 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 a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Mary Ali, the move is aimed at easing business travel for Turkish investors.
Poroy explained that the lack of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul creates logistical difficulties for Turkish applicants, who currently have to travel to Ankara to complete visa procedures.
In response, Tunji-Ojo assured that denying visas to genuine Nigerian or Turkish businesspeople is not in the interest of either country.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to transparency, dialogue and continuous improvement in visa administration, while stressing Nigeria’s openness to legitimate investors and international business partners.
The discussions also covered faster visa processing for Nigerian business travellers to Turkey, visa clarity for Turkish investors visiting Nigeria, and the verification of documents such as marriage certificates.
Tunji-Ojo clarified that all marriage certificates issued under Nigerian law are constitutionally valid and do not require additional verification.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to transparent and practical visa policies, as well as broader diplomatic and economic cooperation.
In November, Ambassador 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 move he described as a boost to economic relations between the two countries.
