By Nkechi Eze
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with Turkey, particularly in the areas of visa facilitation, business mobility and consular cooperation, during a courtesy visit by the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Mehmet Poroy, at the Ministry of Interior Headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting, described as both substantive and timely, provided a platform for wide-ranging discussions on practical steps to ease travel, promote legitimate business engagement and enhance people-to-people contact between both countries. According to a statement issued on 13 January 2026 by the Head of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Mary Ali, Dr. Tunji-Ojo noted that Nigeria and Turkey share long-standing historical and cultural ties which form a solid foundation for stronger and more productive cooperation.
The Minister подчеркed Nigeria’s commitment to a smart, structured and pragmatic approach to international collaboration, stressing that effective visa administration and mobility frameworks are critical to supporting trade, investment and diplomatic relations. He assured that the Ministry remains focused on policies that facilitate legitimate travel while safeguarding national interests.
In his remarks, Ambassador Poroy highlighted recent improvements in visa facilitation for Nigerian businesspeople travelling to Turkey, following sustained collaboration between Turkish authorities and Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior. He explained that under the new arrangement, visa applications are now processed locally, allowing verified Nigerian businesspersons to enjoy significantly faster processing timelines of about three to four days.
The Turkish envoy, however, raised concerns about challenges faced by Turkish businesspeople seeking to visit Nigeria for trade fairs, investments and other commercial activities. He noted that conflicting information on Nigerian visa requirements for Turkish citizens has created uncertainty for applicants, and requested written clarification from the Nigerian authorities to ensure accurate guidance.
A major request presented by the Ambassador was the inclusion of Turkey in Nigeria’s electronic visa system. He explained that the absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul poses logistical difficulties, as Turkish applicants are currently required to travel to Ankara for visa processing. Inclusion in the e-visa regime, he said, would significantly ease travel procedures and enhance business mobility between both countries.
Responding, Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured that denying visas to genuine Nigerian or Turkish businesspeople does not serve the interests of either nation. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, continuous dialogue and ongoing improvement in visa administration, while reaffirming Nigeria’s openness to legitimate investors and international business partners.
The meeting also addressed issues surrounding 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 be subjected to additional verification requirements. Ambassador Poroy acknowledged the concern and committed to reviewing the Embassy’s procedures in line with Nigerian laws.
Both parties agreed on the need for sustained engagement and continuous consultation to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, promote mutual economic interests and deepen diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Turkey.
