Nigeria, Türkiye Defence and Economic Cooperation

Nigeria and Türkiye have intensified efforts to strengthen defence, military and economic cooperation following high-level diplomatic talks held in Ankara ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s planned state visit to the country.

The discussions took place between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and Türkiye’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, focusing on expanding political, security, economic and multilateral relations between both nations.

According to a statement issued in Abuja by Tuggar’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the meeting reviewed existing bilateral engagements and identified new areas for collaboration, particularly in military affairs and the defence industry.

Both ministers acknowledged the steady growth in economic relations between Nigeria and Türkiye, emphasising the need to unlock further opportunities through structured public-private sector engagement and enhanced trade cooperation.

Fidan commended Nigeria’s leadership role in promoting regional stability in West Africa, while both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sovereignty, institutional cooperation and pragmatic partnerships, expressing confidence in deeper bilateral engagement in the coming period.