Nigeria set to implement reciprocal visa policy

17 Octobre 2017

Abuja, Nigeria, October 17 (Infosplusgabon) - Nigeria on Tuesday said it will adopt a reciprocal policy towards countries which delay the issuance of visas to its citizens.

"We as a country need to take our stand. We should deal with any country the way they deal with us on visa issuance. They should not think that we need them more than they need us," said Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

He was speaking at a meeting in Abuja held to resolve issues militating against issuance of visa to Nigerians with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, and the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr Mohammed Babandede.

Dambazau said that Nigeria would no longer tolerate delay of issuance from any country as the issue of visa delay to Nigerian nationals was becoming an embarrassment and must be resolved.

Mr Onyeama stated that Nigeria generally was still having challenges regarding consular services.

“As part of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, the issue, as you know, some of the deliverables are there and it is for consular services that we also have to work hard together. So, we have always felt that we should all try and be speaking to each other," he said.

The Nigerian Immigration boss, Mr Babandede, told journalists at the end of the meeting that “what we are saying is that we as a country, we would also like to retaliate. Anybody who delays visa for our nationals, we would also do the same as a country because we have a pride as a nation.”

The Comptroller General however said that Nigeria was committed to ensure that business was done normally to friends of Nigeria.

“We are committed to make sure business is done normal to our best friends; we issue visa on time and passport to our nationals wherever they are," he said.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/AZE/GABON 2017

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