President Tinubu to Strengthen Nigeria-Türkiye Ties During Official State Visit
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to embark on a significant state visit to the Republic of Türkiye, departing from Abuja on Monday, January 26, 2026. This diplomatic mission aims to reinforce and deepen the existing cordial relations between Nigeria and Turkey, building on previous high-level engagements between the two nations.
Strategic Discussions Planned on Multiple Fronts
According to Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information & Strategy, the visit will feature comprehensive political and diplomatic discussions centered on shared values and mutual interests. The agenda includes critical areas such as finance, communication, trade, and investment, with both countries seeking to expand cooperation across these sectors.
Onanuga revealed these details in an official statement issued on Sunday, January 25, 2026, emphasizing that the visit represents a continuation of bilateral engagement that began when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Nigeria in October 2021.
High-Level Delegation and Memorandum Signings
The presidential aide confirmed that a business forum will be organized to bring together investors from both nations, providing opportunities to explore areas of mutual economic interest. Additionally, the visit will include:
- Meetings between high-ranking officials from Nigeria and Turkey
- The signing of multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering various sectors
- Discussions on scientific research, energy cooperation, and technical collaboration
- Talks on media and communications partnerships
- Exploration of military cooperation and protocol agreements
President's Entourage Includes Key Government Officials
President Tinubu will be accompanied by a distinguished delegation of senior government officials who will participate in the bilateral discussions. The entourage includes:
- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar
- Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN
- Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd)
- National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu
- Other key government representatives
This high-level participation underscores the importance Nigeria places on strengthening its relationship with Turkey across multiple domains of national interest.
Building on Previous Diplomatic Engagements
The upcoming visit follows President Erdogan's official trip to Nigeria in 2021, indicating a sustained commitment to bilateral relations between the two countries. Both nations have demonstrated increasing interest in expanding their partnership beyond traditional diplomatic exchanges to include substantial economic and technical cooperation.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria upon completion of the state visit, having laid groundwork for enhanced collaboration that could benefit both nations in the coming years. The discussions and agreements reached during this visit are anticipated to contribute significantly to Nigeria's international relations strategy and economic development objectives.
