Foreign missions urged to review long visa processes

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has urged foreign missions in Nigeria to review their visa processes for Nigerian applicants, particularly lengthy waiting periods for visa decisions.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu made the call on Thursday in Abuja during an interactive session with heads of diplomatic missions in Nigeria.

She said prolonged delays created difficulties for legitimate travellers, students, businesspeople and families, while stressing the need for greater efficiency, transparency and responsiveness in the treatment of Nigerian visa applicants.

“While we fully respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its visa policy, excessively long waiting periods can create considerable difficulties for legitimate travellers, students, businesspersons and families. We therefore encourage greater efficiency, transparency and responsiveness wherever possible,” she said.

The minister said Nigeria would continue to pursue strategic autonomy in its international relations while maintaining friendship and cooperation with other countries.

According to her, Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is anchored on the Four Ds — Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.

She said the policy seeks to harness Nigeria’s youthful population through education, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development, while placing economic diplomacy at the centre of the country’s international engagement.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria would remain committed to its neighbours, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and Africa, while engaging constructively with the wider international community.

She stressed that Nigeria’s partnerships would be guided by national interest, mutual respect, reciprocity and the country’s international obligations.

“Strategic autonomy does not mean isolation; it means preserving Nigeria’s sovereign right to determine the relationships and positions that best serve our people,” she said.

The minister also called for stronger bilateral relations between Nigeria and other countries, saying the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was working to revive inactive Joint Commissions and Bi-National Commissions.

She said the mechanisms would be used to promote cooperation in trade, investment, security, education, technology, health and agriculture.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu further reminded diplomatic missions that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained the official channel of communication between them and the Nigerian Government.

She urged the missions to route official communications and requests through the ministry to ensure proper coordination and follow-up.

“The Ministry is not an obstacle between you and the Nigerian Government; we are your bridge to the Nigerian Government,” she said.

She also assured members of the Diplomatic Corps that the safety and welfare of diplomats, their families and diplomatic premises remained a priority for the Federal Government.

The minister said Nigeria would continue to support dialogue, multilateralism and peaceful resolution of disputes while strengthening its engagement with ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other international institutions.