The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for a more liberal visa regime for Nigerian companies seeking to establish businesses in foreign countries.

The minister made the call in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when he represented President Bola Tinubu at a meeting with executive members of the Nigerian community in Ethiopia.

His media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, said in a statement in Abuja that the meeting was held on the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government.

Mr Idris said it was only fair for other countries to reciprocate Nigeria’s gesture in providing an enabling environment for foreign companies to invest and operate.

“Last year, I was representing Nigeria in Indonesia and I found out that about 50 big Indonesian companies are operating in Nigeria, but we do not have up to 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 also be that reciprocal arrangement where Nigerians are also given their rightful place,” he said.

On the Ethiopian government’s cancellation of the e-visa and visa-on-arrival options for Nigerian travellers, Mr Idris assured that the matter would be handed over to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for appropriate diplomatic engagement.

While acknowledging the concerns of Nigerians in Ethiopia, the minister emphasised that visa policies among nations were typically based on reciprocity.

He stressed the need for balanced and mutually beneficial agreements.

Mr Idris, however, urged Nigerians living abroad to consistently demonstrate good conduct and responsible citizenship to promote the country’s image to the outside world.

The minister said the current administration had achieved a lot in revamping the economy by providing infrastructure, curbing insecurity and restoring investor confidence.

Mr Idris said Nigeria recently secured $1.07 billion in foreign direct investment to establish drug and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.

He said this significant investment marked the beginning of Nigeria’s medical industrialisation by positioning the country as a key player in pharmaceutical production.

Mr Idris said this will reduce import dependency, create jobs and strengthen the nation’s healthcare sector.

The minister said about N32 billion had been disbursed to students under the Students Loan Scheme in less than 250 days.

Mr Idris, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling the nation’s security challenges, disclosed that security forces neutralised 8,000 terrorists and bandits, rescued 8,000 kidnapped victims and recorded 11,600 arrests in 2024.

The minister also stated that the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, once notorious for criminal activities, had been successfully cleared of criminal elements.

He said the improved security on the route had brought significant relief to commuters.

The statement quoted the president of the Nigerian community in Ethiopia, Muideen Alimi, as saying a workshop was underway in collaboration with Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.

(NAN)