The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has disclosed that the Federal Government will look into the recent cancellation of the e-visa and Visa-on-Arrival options for Nigerian travellers by the Ethiopian government.
This is as the minister canvassed for a more liberal visa regime for Nigerian companies seeking to establish factories and businesses in foreign countries.
Idris, according to a statement, spoke 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.
The minister was also quoted in the statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Rabiu Ibrahim, to have told Nigerians in Ethiopia that the visa issue would be escalated to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for appropriate diplomatic engagement.
“While acknowledging the concerns raised by Nigerians 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 why they should not give us Visa-on-Arrival,” he said.
The minister explained 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.
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The minister, therefore, urged Nigerians living abroad to consistently demonstrate good conduct and responsible citizenship in order to promote the image of the country to the outside world.
The minister used the occasion to inform the Nigerian community about the policy direction of the Tinubu Administration, stressing that a lot has been achieved in revamping the economy, provision of infrastructure, curbing insecurity, and the restoration of investor confidence in Nigeria.
Idris said Nigeria has recently secured approximately $1.07 billion in Foreign Direct Investment for the establishment of drug and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.
He emphasised that this significant investment marks the beginning of Nigeria’s medical industrialization by positioning the country as a key player in pharmaceutical production to enhance local drug manufacturing capacity, reduce dependency on imports, create jobs, and strengthen the nation’s healthcare sector.