Turkey has authorised a brand new visa coverage that enables its embassy in Abuja to difficulty visas on to Nigerian enterprise travellers with out requiring prior authorisation from Ankara, a transfer aimed toward deepening industrial engagement between each nations.
Mehmet Poroy, Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, introduced the event on Monday throughout a courtesy go to to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Abuja.
Either side used the assembly to reaffirm commitments to smoother journey channels and strengthened financial cooperation.
Poroy, who assumed responsibility in Nigeria about six months in the past and is making ready to formally current his letter of credence, described financial partnership because the spine of Turkey–Nigeria relations.
“As you rightly talked about, financial features of our relationships are perhaps a very powerful half,” he stated, noting that the 2 international locations had been nonetheless “behind the potential” out there to them.
The envoy stated the brand new directive empowers the Ankara embassy to difficulty visas to enterprise travellers “instantly, underneath sure circumstances,” chopping the long-standing bureaucratic course of for Nigerian entrepreneurs searching for to go to Turkey.
“This is a crucial first step to facilitate people-to-people [and] businessman-to-businessman contact between the 2 international locations,” he added.
Poroy additionally disclosed that Turkey was concluding inner approval processes to open a Consulate-Common in Lagos.
“The consulate, when operational, will function a significant gateway for diplomatic and industrial actions, particularly given Lagos’ place as Nigeria’s enterprise hub”, he said.
He thanked the FCT Minister for what he described because the assist and companies prolonged to Turkish nationals residing in Abuja and expressed optimism that his diplomatic mission could be “very good and fruitful.”
Responding, Wike welcomed the envoy and pledged the FCT Administration’s readiness to deepen financial ties with Turkey and discover new areas of collaboration, significantly with Istanbul, Turkey’s industrial capital.
“And we wish to, significantly in Istanbul, to see how we are able to associate with them to enhance financial relations,” he stated.
Learn additionally: U.S. revokes over 80,000 visas, citing security concerns, criminal offences
Wike counseled Turkey for simplifying its visa course of for Nigerian travellers, noting that the earlier system had created main obstacles for residents and businesspeople.
“Now that you’ve got taken steps, we commend that, so businessmen who wish to go to Turkey is not going to discover it tough,” he stated.
The minister reiterated his administration’s dedication to sustaining an enabling atmosphere for professional companies, together with these operated by Turkish nationals.
“It’s our intention to supply a free atmosphere the place residents, with out molestation, can perform their companies,” he said.
