Mohammed Idris, the minister of information and national orientation, has advocated for a more relaxed visa policy to facilitate Nigerian companies in setting up factories and businesses overseas.
This was contained in a statement issued by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) on Monday in Abuja.
The statement noted that the minister made this appeal in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while representing President Bola Tinubu at a meeting with the executive members of the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia. The meeting took place alongside the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government.
Idris stressed that as Nigeria fosters a conducive environment for foreign companies to invest and operate, it is only fair and mutually beneficial for other countries to reciprocate by supporting Nigerian businesses seeking to expand globally.
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According to him, “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,” he said.
The Ethiopian government’s cancellation of e-visa and Visa-on-Arrival options for Nigerian travelers has raised concerns, prompting Idris to assure that the matter will be escalated to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic engagement.
The Minister emphasized that visa policies are based on reciprocity, stating that if Nigeria offers Visa-on-Arrival to Ethiopians, the same should be expected in return.
He urged Nigerians abroad to uphold good conduct to positively influence the country’s image, stressing that citizens’ behavior plays a crucial role in shaping international perceptions of Nigeria.
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 emphasized 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.
The Minister said in less than 250 days, about N32 billion has been disbursed to students under the Students Loan Scheme to ensure that no student is denied access to quality education due to lack of funds.
Idris, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling security challenges head-on, disclosed that in 2024 alone, security forces neutralized 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 an arduous task but there is a gradual progression towards prosperity for all as promised by the President.
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In his remarks, Muideen Alimi the President of the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia, said part of their work plan is to collaborate with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission to organize a workshop on enhancing economic development through intra-African trade.
He urged Nigeria to support the actualization of the plan to set up the African Central Bank as well as have a strong presence in the African Remittance Agency.
The meeting was attended by the Director General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other top government officials.
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