FG CALLS FOR LIBERALIZED VISA POLICIES TO BOOST NIGERIAN BUSINESSES

Read Time:3 Minute, 30 Second

The Federal Government has called for more liberal visa policies to support Nigerian businesses seeking to expand globally.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call during his visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday.

Idris represented President Bola Tinubu at a meeting with the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia, which took place on the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government.

This was contained in a statement signed by the minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Monday.

He noted that as Nigeria continues to create a favourable environment for foreign companies to operate within its borders, it is only fair for other nations to reciprocate by easing visa requirements for Nigerian businesses looking to establish themselves abroad.

The minister shared his experience from Indonesia, where he observed that while more than 50 Indonesian companies operate in Nigeria, fewer than five Nigerian companies are present in Indonesia.

He stressed that such reciprocal arrangements needed to include simplified visa processes for Nigerian companies and their representatives.

“Last year, I was representing Nigeria in Indonesia and found out that about 50 big Indonesian companies are operating in Nigeria but we do not have five Nigerian companies operating in Indonesia.

“If they want to come to our country to trade because of our population and ability to purchase their goods and services, then there should also be that reciprocal arrangement where Nigerians are also given the rightful place; and the visa issue is the same problem you find in Ethiopia and Indonesia.

“It becomes very complex for people to give Nigerians visas”, the minister noted,

Idris also addressed concerns raised by the Nigerian community in Ethiopia about the Ethiopian government’s recent cancellation of the e-visa and Visa-on-Arrival options for Nigerian travellers.

“Every relationship with other countries is reciprocal. So if we give them Visa-on-Arrival, there is no reason why they should not give us Visa-on-Arrival,” he said.

He assured them that the issue would be escalated to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for appropriate diplomatic intervention.

Idris explained that visa policies between countries are typically based on reciprocity, and called for balanced visa arrangements to foster better international relations and business opportunities.

During his speech, Idris encouraged Nigerians living abroad to represent their country with dignity and responsibility.

He stressed that their conduct plays a significant role in shaping how Nigeria is perceived internationally.

The minister advised, “We do not allow bad people to represent us and that’s where you come in. You are the ones who are here and if you don’t represent us well, there is no way we will look good.

“The visit of the President to Ethiopia from time to time or the visit of any minister here cannot do it. It is those who are here and living with them that can change whatever perception they have about our country.”

The minister also shared updates on the progress of the Tinubu administration, highlighting several key achievements, including efforts to revitalise the economy, improve infrastructure, address security challenges, and restore investor confidence.

He noted that Nigeria recently secured $1.07bn in Foreign Direct Investment for the establishment of pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.

Idris further mentioned that under the government’s Student Loan Scheme, over N32bn has been disbursed in less than 250 days to support students in need of financial assistance.

The government has also made significant strides in security, with Nigerian forces neutralizing 8,000 terrorists and bandits in 2024, rescuing 8,000 kidnapped victims, and making over 11,600 arrests.

The minister highlighted improvements in security along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, which is now cleared of criminal activities.

The President of the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia, Muideen Alimi, shared plans to collaborate with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to organise a workshop focused on enhancing economic development through intra-African trade.

He also urged FG to support the establishment of an African Central Bank and strengthen its presence in the African Remittance Agency.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other senior government officials.