The Nigerian government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, has called for a more liberal visa regime for Nigerian companies seeking to establish factories and businesses in foreign countries.
In a statement issued to newsmen yesterday in Abuja, the media aide to the minister Rabiu Ibrahim disclosed that he made the call in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Sunday when he represented President Bola Tinubu at a meeting with the executive members of the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia on the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) heads of state and government.
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Idris emphasised that as Nigeria continues to provide an enabling environment for foreign companies to invest and operate within its borders, it is only fair and mutually beneficial for other nations to extend similar support to Nigerian businesses looking to expand internationally.
“Last year, I was representing Nigeria in Indonesia and discovered that about 50 big Indonesian companies operate in Nigeria, but we do not have five Nigerian companies operating in Indonesia. Suppose they want to come to our country to trade because of our population and ability to purchase their goods and services. In that case, there should also be a reciprocal arrangement where Nigerians are 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,” he said.
In response to concerns regarding the Ethiopian government’s cancellation of the e-visa and Visa-on-Arrival options for Nigerian travellers, Idris assured that the matter would be escalated to the minister of foreign affairs for appropriate diplomatic engagement.
While acknowledging Nigerians’ concerns in Ethiopia, the minister emphasised that visa policies among nations are typically based on the principle of reciprocity.
He noted that governments often implement visa regulations in response to the policies extended to their citizens, highlighting the need for balanced and mutually beneficial agreements in international travel and diplomacy.
“Every relationship with other countries is reciprocal. So if we give them Visa-on-Arrival, there is no reason they should not give us Visa-on-Arrival,” he said.
Therefore, the minister urged Nigerians living abroad to consistently demonstrate good conduct and responsible citizenship to promote the country’s image to the outside world.
“We don’t 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 president’s visit to Ethiopia from time to time or the visit of any minister here cannot be done. It is those who are here and living with them that can change whatever perception they have about our country,” he said.
The minister used the occasion to inform the Nigerian community about the Tinubu Administration’s policy direction, stressing that much has been achieved in revamping the economy, providing infrastructure, curbing insecurity, and restoring investor confidence in Nigeria.
Idris said Nigeria has recently secured approximately $1.07 billion in foreign direct investment to establish drug and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.
He emphasised that this significant investment marks the beginning of Nigeria’s medical industrialisation by positioning the country as a key player in pharmaceutical production to enhance local drug manufacturing capacity, reduce import dependency, create jobs, and strengthen the nation’s healthcare sector.
The minister said that in less than 250 days, about N32 billion had been disbursed to students under the Students Loan Scheme to ensure that no student was denied access to quality education due to a lack of funds.
Idris, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling security challenges head-on, disclosed that in 2024 alone, security forces neutralised 8,000 terrorists and bandits, rescued 8,000 kidnapped victims, and recorded 11,600 arrests.
The minister stated that the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, once notorious for criminal activities, has now been successfully cleared of criminal elements, noting that the improved security along the route has brought significant relief to commuters.
Idris said reform is usually very difficult, but as the president promised, there will be a gradual progression towards prosperity.
In his remarks, the president of the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia, Mr Muideen Alimi, said part of their work plan is to collaborate with the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission to organise a workshop on enhancing economic development through intra-African trade.
He urged Nigeria to support the implementation of the plan to establish the African Central Bank and have a strong presence in the African Remittance Agency.
The meeting was attended by the director general of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other top government officials.