The Turkish Embassy in Nigeria has confirmed that there is no visa ban on Nigerian passport holders, dispelling recent reports that suggested otherwise. Concerns had been raised following reports that Ethiopia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates had revoked certain visa privileges for Nigerian passport holders, including visa-on-arrival and e-visa services.
On Thursday, it was reported that Turkey had ceased allowing Nigerian passport holders to obtain e-visas, a previously straightforward process. Addressing these concerns, Wunmi Evelyn, Personal Secretary to the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, clarified the situation in a statement to the press.
“There is no visa ban on Nigerian passport holders,” Evelyn stated. She explained that any updates regarding visa policies and procedures would be officially communicated through respective foreign ministries and embassy announcements.
Evelyn further explained that visa applications are assessed individually, addressing specific instances where applicants faced rejections. “While every application is considered on a case-by-case basis, applicants who have been previously denied a visa should correct any mistakes made in their initial application and improve the quality of their application. They should update their documentation and refrain from supplying old versions of required supporting documents,” she added.
This clarification follows the recent ranking of Nigeria’s passport among the world’s least powerful, according to the Henley Passport Index. In 2023, Nigeria was ranked 90th globally, allowing visa-free admission to only 46 out of 227 destinations. Nigeria’s passport is the fifth-worst in Africa, tied with South Sudan, and only ahead of Congo, Eritrea, Sudan, Libya, and Somalia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. Amb. Eche Abu-Ode, spokesperson for the ministry, has not commented publicly on the issue.
