The Turkish ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, has announced plans to open a Turkish visa application centre in Kano to strengthen trade and investment ties between Nigeria and Turkey.
The centre is expected to make visa access easier for businesspeople in Kano and nearby areas, eliminating the need to travel to Abuja for processing.
Ambassador Poroy made the announcement during a meeting with members of Kano’s business community, including the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), describing the engagement as “successful, fruitful and result-oriented.”
He said, “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.”
Mr. Dele Kelvin Oye, Chairman of the Nigeria-Turkey Business Council, said the visit was part of follow-up efforts after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s trip to Turkey in January 2026.
He noted that stakeholders had been mandated to increase bilateral trade from $2 billion to $5 billion, stressing Kano’s strategic importance.
Oye described Kano as a major commercial hub responsible for over 30 percent of Nigeria’s exports, adding that there is potential to expand this through enhanced trade and investment.
“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,” he said.
KACCIMA President Usman Darma said the ambassador’s visit would help deepen economic ties between Nigeria and Turkey, particularly in agriculture, industry, and energy.
He noted that discussions aligned with agreements reached during the recent presidential visit to Turkey and said Kano stands to benefit from expanded cooperation.
Darma confirmed that the planned visa centre would improve access for local businesses seeking to engage with Turkish partners, while ongoing discussions with investors are expected to drive development projects in the state.
He also acknowledged concerns by local businesses regarding international payment systems, particularly the use of Letters of Credit, and assured that stakeholders would engage experts to address the challenges.
The meeting is part of broader efforts to strengthen economic relations and unlock new investment opportunities between Nigeria and Turkey.