Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening economic, security, and diplomatic ties with Türkiye, revealing plans to scale bilateral trade between both countries to $5 billion.
Speaking during his State Visit to Ankara on Tuesday, Tinubu said discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan focused on expanding opportunities that directly impact jobs, investment, and shared prosperity for citizens of both nations.
> “During the State Visit today in Ankara, Türkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and I reaffirmed our shared ambition, which speaks directly to jobs, investment, and opportunity for our people, creating a clear pathway to a five-billion-dollar trade volume between Nigeria and Türkiye.”
The Nigerian leader explained that talks were practical and forward-looking, covering critical sectors such as trade and investment, energy, education, defence cooperation, peace and security, as well as the establishment of a Joint Economy and Trade Committee aimed at attracting new capital inflows.
> “Our conversations were practical and forward-looking: trade and investment, energy, education, defence cooperation, peace and security, and the creation of a Joint Economy and Trade Committee to unlock new flows of capital and deepen Turkish investment in Nigeria.”
Tinubu also welcomed President Erdoğan’s endorsement of Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, particularly in the energy sector, describing it as a vote of confidence in the country’s reform agenda.
> “I welcome President Erdoğan’s recognition of Nigeria’s reform momentum, particularly in the energy sector, and his confidence in our determination to build an economy that works for everyone, including the most vulnerable.”
On security, the President said both leaders held frank discussions, stressing Nigeria’s continued role in promoting peace and stability across Africa. He noted that Türkiye’s readiness to support Nigeria through military training, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism cooperation would help counter instability in the Sahel region.
> “We also spoke frankly about security. Nigeria will continue to play its role in peace and stability in Africa. Türkiye’s experience and readiness to cooperate in military training, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism efforts strengthen our collective resolve against agents of destabilisation in the Sahel and beyond.”
At the end of the bilateral meetings, Tinubu disclosed that nine agreements were exchanged between both countries, cutting across defence, education, media, diaspora policy, trade, social development, and institutional cooperation between their foreign ministries.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s openness to global engagement, Tinubu said the country remains committed to partnerships that deliver real value and inclusive growth.
> “Nigeria remains open for serious partnership. Open to trade without barriers.
Open to ideas, skills, and investment that create value and shared prosperity.
We are building an inclusive economy. We are strengthening peace. Nigeria will continue to engage the world with confidence and clarity.”
