Nigeria will henceforth adopt the principle of reciprocity in issuing visas to foreigners seeking to enter the country, according to Minister of Interior Olabunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The minister said that if a Nigerian is charged $100 for a visa, the country will also charge foreigners $100 for a Nigerian visa.

Olabunmi Tunji-Ojo, who announced this on Thursday at the Business Day Conference titled “Nigeria Forward: Catalysing Funding for High Impact Social Projects,” said the policy involves treating foreigners like their respective countries treat Nigerians.

He emphasised that the era that witnessed the subjection of Nigerians to discrimination by other countries in terms of visa issuance was over, as the present administration will adopt the principle of give and take as a more efficient approach.

The minister, who delivered a keynote address titled “Ministry of Interior Potential High Impact Social Projects,” expatiated on what he meant by his principle of reciprocity, saying: “Any country that does not give me the visa on arrival cannot have a visa on arrival in Nigeria. I’m sorry, but it is the truth. We’re not a dumping ground; if you say you are useful, people will see you as being useful.”

He recalled that he had informed the director of Turkey’s Centre for Illegal Migration to expect reciprocity in terms of travel policy.

He further said the government also plans to introduce more stringent surveillance measures at the country’s borders to check the inflow and outflow of people to ensure safety.