Turkey has asked Nigeria to open its electronic visa platform to Turkish citizens, in a move Ankara believes will unlock a new wave of trade, investment, and high-level exchanges between the two countries.

The request was delivered by the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, during a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The meeting, according to officials familiar with the discussions, focused on how to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that currently slow down travel between both nations, despite rapidly expanding economic and diplomatic ties.

Ambassador Poroy drew attention to a practical hurdle that has long frustrated Turkish travellers to Nigeria: the absence of a Nigerian visa office in Istanbul. At present, Turkish citizens seeking Nigerian visas must travel to Ankara, the country’s capital, to complete their applications. For businesspeople who often operate on tight schedules and budgets, that extra leg of travel can be a deterrent.

He argued that integrating Turkey into Nigeria’s e‑visa system would dramatically simplify the process. With an electronic platform, Turkish applicants could submit documents, pay fees, and receive approvals online, cutting out the need for physical visits to consular offices. According to the envoy, such a step would not only ease travel but also send a strong signal that Nigeria is serious about attracting Turkish investors, traders, and participants in trade fairs and exhibitions.

Poroy also requested written clarification on Nigeria’s visa regime for Turkish citizens. He noted that Turkish travellers sometimes receive conflicting information from different Nigerian missions, creating uncertainty for companies planning trips or exploring new markets. A clear, harmonised policy, he suggested, would help businesses plan with confidence and reduce last-minute disruptions.

In his response, Minister Tunji-Ojo underscored that Nigeria has no interest in placing unnecessary obstacles before genuine business travellers. He stressed that in an increasingly competitive global economy, countries that make it easier for investors and professionals to move across borders are more likely to attract capital, technology, and expertise.

The minister reaffirmed that Nigeria is committed to transparency and continuous improvement in its visa administration. He said the government is working to modernise its systems, streamline procedures, and ensure that legitimate visitors are treated fairly and efficiently. While security and immigration control remain priorities, he added, they must be balanced with the need to keep Nigeria open to credible international partners.

Beyond visas, the meeting also delved into a sensitive but important consular issue: the recognition of Nigerian marriage certificates by foreign missions. Some Nigerian couples have complained that certain embassies subject their marriage documents to additional scrutiny or verification, even when those certificates were issued under Nigerian law.

Tunji-Ojo made it clear that all marriage certificates properly issued in Nigeria are constitutionally valid and should be accepted as such. He said there is no legal basis for treating them as provisional or requiring extra layers of authentication beyond what Nigerian law already provides. The minister urged foreign missions to align their procedures with this position to avoid unnecessary hardship for Nigerian citizens.

Ambassador Poroy acknowledged the concern and pledged to review the Turkish embassy’s internal processes to ensure they reflect Nigeria’s legal framework. Both sides agreed that smoother handling of civil documentation, such as marriage certificates, is essential for families navigating cross-border life, whether for relocation, education, or business.

The discussions in Abuja are the latest sign of a relationship that has grown steadily in scope and ambition. Over the past decade, Nigeria and Turkey have moved from relatively modest engagement to a more strategic partnership, driven by trade, investment, and people-to-people contacts.

Turkey has positioned itself as a manufacturing and logistics hub linking Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, while Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest economies and a key player in West Africa. Turkish companies have shown interest in sectors such as construction, energy, defence, textiles, and consumer goods. Nigerian businesses, in turn, see Turkey as a source of machinery, finished products, and technical expertise, as well as a gateway to broader markets.

High-level visits and bilateral agreements have laid the groundwork for this cooperation, but both governments recognise that policy declarations must be matched by practical facilitation. Visa regimes are a crucial part of that equation. Business delegations, investors, and technical teams often operate on tight timelines; delays or confusion at the visa stage can derail deals or push investors toward more accessible markets.

By seeking access to Nigeria’s e‑visa platform, Ankara is effectively asking Abuja to treat Turkish travellers as priority partners in its broader push to digitise and simplify entry procedures. For Nigeria, the decision will involve weighing security considerations, technical capacity, and reciprocity, but officials have signalled that they are open to arrangements that support economic growth and international cooperation.

Analysts note that e‑visa systems, when properly implemented, can enhance both security and convenience. Digital platforms allow authorities to pre-screen applicants, verify documents electronically, and maintain detailed records, while reducing opportunities for corruption or document tampering. For travellers, the benefits are obvious: fewer trips to consulates, faster processing times, and more predictable outcomes.

The Abuja meeting also highlighted a broader shift in Nigeria’s approach to migration management. Rather than viewing visas solely through a security lens, the Interior Ministry is increasingly framing them as tools of economic policy and diplomacy. By tailoring visa rules to encourage targeted categories of visitors—such as investors, skilled professionals, and participants in trade fairs—Nigeria aims to position itself as a more attractive destination in a crowded global marketplace.

For Turkey, easier access to Nigeria could help its companies deepen their footprint in West Africa, where competition from European, Asian, and Middle Eastern firms is intense. Turkish businesses have built a reputation in some African markets for mid-cost, reliable construction and manufacturing solutions, as well as for educational and cultural outreach through schools and cultural centres.

Both countries also see value in strengthening people-to-people ties. Student exchanges, tourism, and professional training programmes can create long-term networks that outlast any single project or administration. Simplified visa procedures are often the first step in making such exchanges viable at scale.

While no final decision on Turkey’s inclusion in Nigeria’s e‑visa system has been publicly announced, the tone of the Abuja talks suggests that both sides are keen to move forward. The commitment to “sustained engagement” indicates that technical teams from both governments are likely to continue discussions on the details, including eligibility criteria, security protocols, and timelines.

As Nigeria and Turkey look to expand their roles in their respective regions, the way they manage mobility between their territories will be a telling measure of how seriously they take their partnership. For now, Ankara’s push for e‑visa access and Abuja’s stated openness to reform point toward a shared recognition: in a global economy defined by speed and connectivity, the ease with which people can cross borders is no longer a peripheral issue, but a central pillar of modern diplomacy and trade.