President Bola Tinubu has called for more liberal visa policies to facilitate the global expansion of Nigerian businesses. His appeal came shortly after the Canadian government denied a visa to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, preventing him from attending the Invictus Games for wounded soldiers in Vancouver.
Tinubu made the statement on the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, over the weekend. He emphasized that Nigeria has been committed to creating a conducive environment for foreign companies to operate within its borders.
Represented by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Tinubu argued that it is only fair for other nations to reciprocate by easing visa requirements for Nigerian businesses looking to establish a presence abroad.
Idris shared his experience in Indonesia, noting that while over 50 Indonesian companies operate in Nigeria, fewer than five Nigerian companies are present in Indonesia. He pointed out that reciprocal arrangements, including simplified visa processes for Nigerian businesses and their representatives, are essential for fostering fair trade relations.
He further remarked, “Last year, during my visit to Indonesia, I observed that more than 50 major Indonesian companies are operating in Nigeria, but fewer than five Nigerian companies are present in Indonesia. If these countries want to trade with us because of our large market and purchasing power, they should reciprocate by easing the visa process for Nigerian businesses as well. The same challenges are faced by Nigerians in countries like Ethiopia and Indonesia, where obtaining a visa can be unnecessarily complex.”
Idris also addressed concerns raised by the Nigerian community in Ethiopia regarding the cancellation of e-visas and Visa-on-Arrival options for Nigerian travelers. He emphasized that international relations should be based on reciprocity. “If we extend Visa-on-Arrival to them, there is no reason they should not do the same for us,” he said. He assured the community that the issue would be raised with the Minister of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic action.
The minister highlighted the importance of balanced visa policies between countries to promote better international relations and business growth. He urged Nigerians abroad to represent their country with dignity, as their conduct plays a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s global image.
“We must ensure that those representing us abroad do so responsibly, as their actions reflect on all Nigerians,” Idris added. “No visit by the President or any minister can change the perception of our country as much as the everyday actions of Nigerians living abroad.”
Idris also provided updates on the administration’s key achievements, including efforts to revitalize the economy, enhance infrastructure, tackle security issues, and restore investor confidence. He highlighted that Nigeria secured $1.07 billion in foreign direct investments for the establishment of pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.
Additionally, under the government’s Student Loan Scheme, over N32 billion had been disbursed in less than 250 days to assist students in need. Idris further noted significant progress in security, citing that Nigerian forces had neutralized 8,000 terrorists and bandits in 2024, rescued 8,000 kidnap victims, and made over 11,600 arrests. He also highlighted improvements along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, which is now free of criminal activities.
Muideen Alimi, President of the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia, shared plans to work with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to organize a workshop focused on fostering economic development through intra-African trade. He also called on the federal government to support the establishment of an African Central Bank and strengthen its role in the African Remittance Agency.
