Nigeria, Turkey Forge Stronger Ties on Diaspora Engagement

Nigeria and Turkey have opened fresh discussions to strengthen cooperation on diaspora relations, with both countries exploring ways to share strategies, data, and policy frameworks for better engagement with their citizens abroad.

During a strategic meeting in Abuja, the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, proposed a working partnership between the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, Turkey’s agency dedicated to diaspora affairs.

Poroy, who recently assumed office, highlighted that Turkey has an estimated 7.5 million citizens living abroad, with about 6.5 million residing in Europe and significant communities in the United States. He noted that the Turkish diaspora has become politically influential, actively participating in governance and holding key positions across Europe.

The envoy expressed keen interest in understanding the Nigerian diaspora landscape, commending NiDCOM for developing its diaspora registration portal to collect reliable demographic data. According to him, studying Nigeria’s model would help improve Turkey’s outreach to its citizens overseas.

NiDCOM Chairman/CEO Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa welcomed the collaboration, stressing the shared experiences between Nigerian and Turkish communities abroad. She explained that the new diaspora portal would enhance communication with Nigerians overseas, strengthen policy planning, and provide tailored support.

Dabiri-Erewa also outlined NiDCOM’s flagship initiatives, including the National Diaspora Day celebrations, the Diaspora Merit Awards, and the annual Diaspora Investment Summit, which encourage Nigerians abroad to contribute to national development and showcase their success stories.

She further underscored the importance of positive media representation of Nigerians in the diaspora and raised concerns about the plight of Nigerian students in Northern Cyprus. The ambassador pledged to engage the Embassy of Northern Cyprus in Turkey to address the matter and facilitate dialogue.

Both sides reaffirmed their readiness to share best practices, strengthen institutional ties, and consider future bilateral visits. The meeting ended with Dabiri-Erewa presenting Poroy copies of Nigeria’s National Diaspora Policy and a programme booklet from the last National Diaspora Day and Merit Awards.