The Federal Government has advocated for more permissive visa laws to help Nigerian businesses expand abroad.

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

Idris represented President Bola Tinubu at a meeting with the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia, which was held in conjunction with the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government.

On Monday, the minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, stated this effect.

He stated that as Nigeria continues to provide a friendly climate for foreign enterprises to operate within its borders, it is only reasonable that other countries reciprocate by lowering visa requirements for Nigerian businesses seeking to establish themselves overseas.

The minister related his experience in Indonesia, where he discovered that while more than 50 Indonesian companies operate in Nigeria, less than five Nigerian enterprises are active in Indonesia.

He emphasized that such reciprocal relationships should include simplified visa procedures for Nigerian companies and their personnel.

“Last year, while representing Nigeria in Indonesia, I discovered that approximately 50 large Indonesian companies operate 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 be a reciprocal arrangement in which Nigerians are given their proper place; and the visa issue is the same as in Ethiopia and Indonesia.”

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

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

“All relationships with other countries are reciprocal. So, if we provide them Visa-on-Arrival, there is no reason why they should not give us the same,” he remarked.

He told them that the matter would be elevated to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for proper diplomatic intervention.

Idris noted that visa regulations between countries are often based on reciprocity, and he advocated for more balanced visa arrangements to improve international relations and business prospects.

Throughout his remarks, Idris urged Nigerians residing overseas to represent their country with respect and responsibility.

He highlighted that their actions have a huge impact on how Nigeria is seen abroad.

The minister stated, “We do not allow bad people to represent us, and that is where you come in.” You are the ones who are here, and if you do not represent us well, we will not look good.

“A visit by the President or any minister to Ethiopia regularly will not suffice. Those who are here and live with them can affect their opinion of our country.

The minister also provided updates on the Tinubu administration’s progress, citing various major successes like as attempts to revive the economy, develop infrastructure, handle security concerns, and restore investor confidence.

He mentioned that Nigeria recently received $1.07 billion in foreign direct investment for the development of pharmaceutical manufacturing businesses.

Idris went on to say that over N32 billion has been disbursed in less than 250 days through the government’s Student Loan Scheme to help students in need of financial assistance.

The government has also made substantial security gains, with Nigerian troops neutralizing 8,000 terrorists and bandits by 2024, rescuing 8,000 abducted victims, and arresting over 11,600 people.

The minister emphasized improvements in security along the Kaduna-Abuja Motorway, which is currently free of criminal activity.

Muideen Alimi, President of the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia, announced plans to collaborate with the Nigerian Diaspora Commission to host a workshop aimed at boosting economic development through intra-African trade.

He also encouraged FG to support the development of an African Central Bank and to strengthen its role in the African Remittance Agency.

The conference was attended by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, as well as other high government officials.