Amanze Chinonye
President Tinubu has arrived in Ankara, the capital of the Republic of Türkiye, on a state visit aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, and broader economic development, Prime Business Africa reports.
The President’s aircraft touched down at Ankara Esenboğa Airport at 9:03 p.m. local time on Monday. He was received by a Turkish government delegation led by the Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin. Also present were Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires in Türkiye, Ambassador Zayyad Abdulsalam, alongside other embassy officials.
At the President’s hotel, members of the Nigerian delegation who welcomed him included the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; and the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd).
Others in the delegation are the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji; Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson; Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
According to the Presidency, the visit is focused on strengthening existing diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Türkiye, while exploring new areas of cooperation to advance a mutually beneficial partnership. President Tinubu is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Turkish counterpart, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during which key issues around security collaboration, trade expansion, and industrial cooperation are expected to feature prominently.
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Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are also expected to be signed between the two countries, covering areas such as defence, manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology transfer.
The visit comes amid Nigeria’s broader effort to recalibrate its foreign partnerships towards countries with strong industrial capacity, pragmatic diplomacy, and growing influence in global and regional security architecture. Türkiye, which established diplomatic relations with Nigeria in 1962, has emerged as a strategic partner in recent years, particularly in defence manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and trade.
Bilateral trade between Nigeria and Türkiye currently exceeds $1 billion annually, with both governments targeting an expansion to $5 billion. Turkish companies have also increased their footprint in Nigeria across sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, defence electronics, and consumer goods.
President Tinubu’s trip builds on a history of high-level engagements between both countries, including previous visits by President Erdoğan to Nigeria and former President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Ankara in 2017.
The Presidency said the outcomes of the visit are expected to further position Nigeria as a regional hub for manufacturing and logistics, while leveraging Türkiye’s industrial experience and strategic location as a bridge between Europe and Asia.
The state visit is scheduled to last two days.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
