By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria and Turkey have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with renewed emphasis on visa facilitation, business mobility and improved consular cooperation, following high-level talks held in Abuja.
The understanding was reached when the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, received the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mehmet Poroy, on a courtesy visit. The meeting provided an opportunity for both countries to review existing engagements and explore practical measures aimed at easing legitimate travel and boosting economic exchanges.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Tunji-Ojo underscored the long-standing historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Turkey, noting that these shared bonds provide a strong platform for deeper collaboration. He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to what he described as a “smart, structured and practical approach to international cooperation” that prioritises people-to-people contact while supporting legitimate business activities. According to him, strengthening mobility frameworks is essential to sustaining mutual trust and expanding economic opportunities between both nations. “These ties provide a solid foundation for deeper collaboration,” the Minister said.
Ambassador Poroy, in his remarks, briefed the Minister on recent improvements in visa facilitation for Nigerian businesspeople travelling to Turkey. He explained that under a new arrangement, visa applications by Nigerian businessmen are now processed locally, a move that has significantly reduced waiting times. “Under the new arrangement, applications are processed locally, allowing verified businesspersons to benefit from faster processing timelines of about three to four days,” the Ambassador noted, describing the development as a major boost to bilateral trade and commercial exchanges.
While commending the progress, the Turkish envoy raised concerns about challenges faced by Turkish businesspeople seeking to travel to Nigeria for trade fairs, investment engagements and other commercial activities. He observed that conflicting information regarding Nigerian visa procedures had created uncertainty for applicants and appealed for clearer guidance. “We request written clarification to guide applicants accurately,” Poroy said, stressing the need for consistency and predictability in visa administration.
A major proposal discussed during the meeting was the inclusion of Turkey in Nigeria’s electronic visa, or e-visa, system. Ambassador Poroy explained that the absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul posed logistical difficulties for Turkish nationals. He argued that extending Nigeria’s e-visa regime to Turkey would significantly enhance business mobility and reduce administrative bottlenecks. “Including Turkey in the e-visa regime would significantly enhance business mobility for Turkish nationals,” he said.
Responding, Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured that Nigeria recognises the importance of seamless travel for genuine businesspeople and investors from both countries. He maintained that restrictive practices do not serve the interests of either nation. “Denying visas to genuine Nigerian or Turkish businesspeople is not in the interest of either country,” the Minister stated, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, continuous dialogue and ongoing improvements in visa administration. He also emphasised Nigeria’s openness to legitimate investors and international business partners who comply with the country’s laws.
The discussions further touched on the recognition of Nigerian marriage certificates by foreign missions. Dr. Tunji-Ojo clarified that all marriage certificates issued in accordance with Nigerian law are constitutionally valid and should not be subjected to additional verification requirements. Ambassador Poroy acknowledged the concern and pledged to review the relevant procedures at the Turkish Embassy.
Both sides agreed on the need for sustained engagement and open communication as a means of addressing emerging issues and strengthening overall bilateral cooperation. The meeting ended with a shared resolve to translate the discussions into practical outcomes that would further cement Nigeria–Turkey relations and facilitate smoother movement of people and businesses between the two countries.
