Travel trade professionals from Nigeria and Türkiye have jointly called on their respective governments to ease visa restrictions to promote stronger ties in tourism and trade. This call was made during a landmark collaboration meeting held in Istanbul between the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) and the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB).
During the historic session—facilitated by Turkish Airlines and marking the first formal engagement between the two travel bodies—both associations expressed concern over the current strict visa regimes that hinder seamless travel between the two nations. NANTA, led by its President Mr. Yinka Folami, appealed to TURSAB for support in lobbying the Turkish government to simplify visa processes for Nigerian travellers, especially those who already hold valid UK, Schengen, U.S., or Canadian visas. The proposal included allowing visa-on-arrival or electronic visa options for such individuals.
On the Turkish side, TURSAB Vice President Mr. Davut Gunaydin acknowledged similar frustrations from Turkish investors and tourists attempting to visit Nigeria. He noted that the complex and rigid Nigerian visa process discourages Turkish citizens from considering Nigeria as a destination, despite the countries’ shared cultural and tourism potential.
Gunaydin also highlighted the alarmingly low tourism traffic from Nigeria to Türkiye, despite Nigeria’s population exceeding 200 million and its reputation as one of the world’s most mobile populations. He called on NANTA to help improve the situation by profiling and recommending credible Nigerian tourists to Türkiye, a move he believes will reduce incidents of visa abuse such as overstaying and absconding, which have contributed to Türkiye’s tightened visa scrutiny for Nigerian travellers.
In response, Folami praised the warm reception of the TURSAB leadership and formally invited them to Nigeria for NANTA’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2026. He also announced Turkish Airlines as the official partner carrier for the milestone event.
Following the extensive deliberations, both associations agreed to present the outcomes of their meeting to their respective governments and to pursue a memorandum of understanding. The MoU will focus on enhancing tourism exchanges, joint training initiatives, professional development, and a coordinated advocacy for friendlier global travel policies.
The meeting signaled a renewed commitment to fostering tourism and economic cooperation between Nigeria and Türkiye, with expectations of increased visitor traffic, cultural exchange, and mutual revenue growth driven by a more accessible travel ecosystem.
