Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ANKARA, Turkey — Nigeria and Türkiye have formalised a suite of nine bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors, reinforcing diplomatic ties and expanding economic and security partnerships during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s working visit to the Turkish capital Ankara. The accords were signed in a ceremony attended by President Tinubu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with senior ministers from both governments present following high‑level bilateral talks held at the Presidential Palace. The agreements reflect intentions to deepen collaboration in trade, defence, education, communication, and other areas of mutual interest.
The nine agreements — a mix of memoranda of understanding, cooperation protocols and a joint declaration — cover a cross‑section of policy areas seen as pivotal to bilateral relations between the two countries. Among the key accords is a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Diaspora Policy, designed to strengthen ties with nationals living abroad and foster socio‑cultural engagement. A separate Memorandum on Media and Communication seeks structured collaboration between Nigerian and Turkish media institutions, promoting exchange of expertise, best practices and joint training activities in broadcasting and communications.
Education and skills development featured prominently in the pact portfolio. A Memorandum of Cooperation in Higher Education was signed, along with a specific memorandum facilitating collaboration between Türkiye’s Diplomacy Academy and Nigeria’s Foreign Service Academy, aimed at enhancing professional development for diplomatic personnel. These initiatives are expected to open avenues for exchange programmes, academic partnerships and shared capacity‑building efforts.
Economic and trade cooperation was advanced through a Joint Declaration Establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO). The committee will serve as an institutional framework for advancing commercial ties, addressing trade challenges, improving market access and pursuing joint ventures. Both presidents underscored ambitions to expand bilateral trade volume significantly, targeting a $5 billion trade relationship through enhanced investment, market diversification and private‑sector engagement.
Halal industry infrastructure also featured in the agreements. Türkiye and Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Halal Quality Infrastructure aimed at harmonising standards, facilitating certification cooperation and encouraging halal‑market development. Given the size of Muslim populations in both countries, this partnership is expected to bolster food, pharmaceutical and consumer goods trade within the halal sector.
Security and defence cooperation was formalised through a Protocol on Military Cooperation, reflecting shared interests in enhancing defence capabilities, joint training, intelligence sharing and counter‑terrorism efforts. The accord is expected to support capacity building for Nigeria’s security forces and enable closer strategic coordination between the two nations on regional security issues.
Social policy and human development priorities were addressed through an Agreement on Cooperation between the Ministry of Family and Social Services of Türkiye and Nigeria’s Ministry of Women Affairs, aimed at tackling common social challenges, supporting gender equality initiatives and facilitating collaborative programmes in social welfare. An additional Cooperation Agreement in Education was signed to complement higher education initiatives at more foundational levels of learning.
Presidents Tinubu and Erdoğan highlighted the historic breadth of Nigeria‑Turkey relations, pointing out that diplomatic ties date back to November 9, 1960, and have grown steadily over decades. In remarks at a joint press conference, both leaders reaffirmed commitments to deepening cooperation in mutually beneficial areas while encouraging business communities in both countries to capitalise on new opportunities emerging from the agreements.
President Tinubu emphasised that the enhanced cooperation frameworks reflect shared strategic goals and a practical roadmap for translating diplomatic engagement into tangible benefits for citizens of both countries. He cited sectors such as trade, energy, defence and education as focal points where expanded partnership could yield long‑term economic gains and improved security outcomes.
President Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s support for Nigeria’s efforts to address security challenges and emphasised the importance of robust economic links. He said Ankara was committed to working with Abuja to realise the ambitious $5 billion trade target, and noted that institutional mechanisms such as the Joint Economic and Trade Committee would facilitate concrete commercial execution and investment flows.
The agreements were signed against a backdrop of growing economic interaction between the two countries. In the first 11 months of 2025, bilateral trade reached approximately $688.4 million, and when energy trade figures are included, Nigeria became Türkiye’s largest trading partner in Sub‑Saharan Africa. Turkish enterprises are active across Nigeria’s construction, manufacturing and services sectors, with private‑sector investments valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Observers note that the expanded partnership aligns with Nigeria’s broader diplomatic outreach strategy, which emphasises forging diversified economic partnerships and attracting foreign direct investment. For Türkiye, deepening cooperation with Nigeria resonates with its Africa strategy, which targets increased trade, industrial collaboration and security cooperation across the continent.
As both countries proceed with implementation of the signed agreements, officials on both sides have signalled intentions to hold follow‑up meetings and convene working groups tasked with operationalising the accords, monitoring progress and addressing any institutional or regulatory hurdles. Enhanced diplomatic engagement and sustained high‑level interactions are expected to underpin the nascent frameworks as they move from signature to implementation.
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