Turkey to Open Visa Centre in Kano to Boost Trade, Investment Ties with Nigeria

The Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, has unveiled plans to establish a Turkish visa application centre in Kano, in a move aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment between Nigeria and Turkey.

The ambassador said the initiative is designed to improve access to visa services for businesspeople in Kano and neighboring states, eliminating the need for frequent travel to Abuja for processing.

Poroy made this known during a high-level meeting with members of the Kano business community, including representatives of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, which he described as productive and impactful.

He noted that the proposed visa centre would significantly enhance business relations by facilitating smoother travel for entrepreneurs and investors seeking opportunities in both countries.

“We will have good news and other facilities to increase people-to-people contact between business communities. A new Turkish visa application centre will be opened soon in Kano to facilitate easy access,” Poroy stated.

Chairman of the Nigeria-Turkey Business Council, Dele Kelvin Oye, explained that the visit forms part of follow-up engagements after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official trip to Turkey in January 2026.

Oye said stakeholders have been tasked with increasing bilateral trade between Nigeria and Turkey from $2 billion to $5 billion in the coming years.

He emphasized Kano’s strategic importance in achieving this goal, describing the city as a key commercial hub responsible for more than 30 percent of Nigeria’s exports.
According to him, there is significant potential to expand this contribution through increased investment and improved trade facilitation between both countries.

“We are not just here for trade, but for trade and investment. As entrepreneurs, we see opportunities in solving problems, and that is how value is created for both investors and host communities,” Oye added.

President of KACCIMA, Usman Darma, said the engagement would deepen existing economic relations, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and energy.

Darma also noted that the discussions align with agreements reached during the recent presidential visit to Turkey, adding that Kano stands to benefit significantly from expanded cooperation.

He confirmed that the planned visa centre would ease business operations for local entrepreneurs seeking partnerships with Turkish firms, while ongoing talks with investors are expected to drive development projects across the state.

The KACCIMA president further acknowledged concerns raised by local businesses regarding international payment systems, especially challenges linked to Letters of Credit.

He assured stakeholders that efforts are underway to engage financial experts and relevant institutions to resolve these issues and facilitate smoother international transactions.

The meeting forms part of broader initiatives aimed at strengthening economic relations, boosting investor confidence, and unlocking new opportunities for sustainable growth between Nigeria and Turkey.