Nigeria and Turkey have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation with a new trade volume target of $5 billion, following meetings between President Bola Tinubu and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in Ankara on Tuesday.
During Tinubu’s state visit, both leaders oversaw the signing of nine agreements spanning defense, trade, education, and diaspora affairs. In a joint press briefing, President Erdoğan emphasized the significant potential for expanded trade and investment between the two nations.
“We are committed to the target of $5 billion trade volume and have discussed the necessary steps to achieve it,” Erdoğan stated. He announced the creation of a Joint Economy and Trade Committee, which is expected to facilitate increased Turkish investment in Nigeria.
The agreements signed include:
- Cooperation in Defense
- Establishment of the Joint Economy and Trade Committee
- Cooperation in Diaspora Policy
- Cooperation in Higher Education and Media
- Halal Quality Infrastructure Agreement
- Social Services and Women’s Affairs cooperation
Erdoğan also commended Tinubu’s energy sector reforms and expressed Turkey’s willingness to share expertise in counterterrorism. “We stand by the friendly people of Nigeria in their fight against terrorism,” he said, noting opportunities for collaboration in military training and intelligence.
In his remarks, President Tinubu highlighted the importance of inclusive economic growth and Nigeria’s role in promoting regional stability. “How do we build an inclusive economy together? How do we reform and get vulnerable people involved in the economy?” Tinubu asked, underscoring his administration’s focus on economic accessibility and development.
The visit marks a significant step in strengthening Nigeria–Turkey relations, with both nations aiming to transform diplomatic engagements into tangible economic and security partnerships.
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