Nigeria: Nigeria, Türkiye Move to Deepen Ties After Tinubu's Ankara Visit

What the report says

Nigeria and Türkiye have said they want to broaden their relationship after President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Ankara in January 2026, during which nine agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed. According to This Day, the areas covered include trade, investment, defence, education, diaspora policy, media and communication, and diplomatic training.

In a statement marking Türkiye’s 103rd Republic Day, Nigeria said the visit had helped build a stronger base for cooperation. The government pointed to possible growth in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, textiles and solid minerals, and said it wanted to keep using existing mechanisms like the Joint Economic and Trade Commission to deepen ties and identify new opportunities.

The report also said both sides highlighted defence cooperation, including local capacity building, technology transfer and collaboration between their armed forces. Nigeria noted continued work with Türkiye on wider international issues such as peace and security and sustainable development. The Turkish ambassador, Mehmet Poroy, repeated his government’s interest in closer relations with Nigeria and the wider African continent at a reception in Nigeria.

The article adds that the diplomatic relationship between the two countries dates back decades, with Türkiye opening a consulate in Lagos in 1959 and both sides upgrading ties to ambassadorial level in 1960.