- Turkey had sought inclusion in Nigeria’s electronic visa system to ease travel and strengthen business ties
- The request was made during a meeting between Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Poroy and Nigeria’s Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in Abuja
- Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to improving visa processes and deepening diplomatic and economic cooperation
Turkey had requested to be included in Nigeria’s electronic visa system as part of efforts to ease travel and strengthen business and diplomatic exchanges between both countries.
According to PUNCH, the request was made on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, when the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, at the Ministry of Interior headquarters in Abuja.
Source: Getty Images
Statement from the ministry of interior
The Head of Press and Public Relations, Mary Ali, disclosed the development in a statement released on Tuesday. She reported that the ambassador explained that the absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul posed logistical challenges for Turkish applicants, who had to travel to Ankara to complete visa processes.
Read also
Federal government launches high-purity gold refinery in Lagos
Ali said the ambassador stressed that inclusion in Nigeria’s e-visa regime would significantly improve business mobility and encourage more Turkish investors and traders to visit Nigeria.
“Ambassador Poroy raised concerns regarding Turkish businesspeople seeking to visit Nigeria for trade fairs, investments, and other commercial activities. He noted conflicting information on Nigerian visa arrangements for Turkish citizens and requested written clarification to guide applicants accurately.
“A key request made during the meeting was the inclusion of Turkey in Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-visa) system. The Ambassador explained that the absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul creates logistical challenges, as applicants must travel to Ankara, and inclusion in the e-visa regime would significantly enhance business mobility,” the statement partly read.
Nigeria’s response on visa administration
Responding, Minister Tunji-Ojo said restricting genuine business travellers was not in the interest of either Nigeria or Turkey. He assured that the ministry was committed to transparency, dialogue and continuous improvement in visa administration.
Read also
2026: Federal government issues travel advice to Nigerians and foreigners
“Tunji-Ojo assured that denying visas to genuine Nigerian or Turkish businesspeople is not in the interest of either country. He emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, dialogue, and continuous improvement in visa administration, while reaffirming Nigeria’s openness to legitimate investors and international business partners,” the statement said.
Clarification on marriage certificates
The meeting also addressed the recognition of Nigerian marriage certificates by foreign missions. Tunji-Ojo clarified that all marriage certificates issued under Nigerian law were constitutionally valid and did not require additional verification.
“The meeting also addressed 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 require additional verification.
“Ambassador Poroy acknowledged the concern and committed to reviewing the Embassy’s procedures, as both parties agreed to sustained engagement to strengthen bilateral cooperation and diplomatic relations,” the statement added.
Nigeria and Turkey had been deepening diplomatic and economic relations, driven by rising trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.
The meeting between the Turkish ambassador and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior formed part of ongoing efforts to improve visa processing for business travellers, making visa facilitation a central pillar of their bilateral cooperation.
Read also
Natasha confirms EMV compliance, opens training for dozens of beneficiaries, how to apply emerges
Source: Getty Images
E-visa system, digitalized airport card unveiled
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian government, in a bid to strengthen national security and streamline entry processes, has unveiled plans to launch an e-visa system and digitalized landing/exit cards.
The announcement, made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, marks a significant step in modernizing Nigeria’s immigration systems.
Source: Legit.ng
