FG seeks stronger economic, defence ties with Türkiye

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to strengthening economic and defence cooperation with Türkiye, identifying manufacturing, construction, textiles and solid minerals as key areas for expanding bilateral partnerships. In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated the Turkish government and people on the country’s 103rd National Day. The ministry said Nigeria would sustain high-level engagements with Türkiye to consolidate existing partnerships, explore new areas of cooperation and promote mutually beneficial economic opportunities.

It noted that bilateral relations had been reinforced by President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Ankara in January 2026, during which nine agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed. The agreements cover trade and investment, education, diaspora policy, military cooperation, media and communication, diplomatic training and other areas of mutual interest. According to the statement, the government also welcomed progress in defence cooperation, particularly in local capacity building, technology transfer and institutional collaboration between the armed forces of both countries. Meanwhile, the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, at a reception in Abuja on Thursday, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. The ambassador recalled that Türkiye established its consulate general in Lagos in April…