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President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Tuesday in Ankara reaffirmed his country’s commitment to working with Nigeria to end terrorism, as both nations target a $5 billion trade volume.
As part of their strategic cooperation, the two countries signed agreements in nine key areas, including military training, aimed at combating terrorism.
In a statement, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said President Erdogan disclosed this at a joint press briefing with President Bola Tinubu during the Nigerian leader’s state visit to Türkiye.
According to him, the establishment of a Joint Economy and Trade Committee between the two countries will create opportunities to expand and support Turkish investments in Nigeria, helping both sides meet the $5 billion trade target.
President Erdogan praised President Tinubu’s commitment, will and determination to attract investment into Nigeria, describing the presence of several ministers and high-ranking officials as clear evidence of this resolve.
He noted that both leaders conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations in the areas of trade, investment, energy, education and the defence industry.
“Firstly, we see that there is significant potential in the fields of trade and investment. In today’s meetings, we reaffirmed our commitment to the $5 billion trade volume target and discussed the steps needed to achieve it,” Erdogan said.
“We also discussed opportunities to support our investments in Nigeria. We believe that the Joint Economy and Trade Committee we agreed to establish today will be instrumental in this regard.”
President Erdogan also commended Nigeria’s progress in the energy sector, noting that recent reforms have contributed to the restructuring of the country’s economy.
He expressed optimism that cooperation between the Turkish Petroleum Corporation and Nigerian counterparts, as well as other relevant organisations, would yield positive results.
On terrorism in Nigeria and the wider Sahel region, President Erdogan pledged Türkiye’s support, citing his country’s experience in tackling insurgency.
“Terrorist organisations emerging, particularly in Africa’s Sahel region, unfortunately pose a threat to the peace of the entire continent. We stand by the friendly people of Nigeria in their fight against terrorism under the leadership of President Tinubu,” he said.
“We also discussed opportunities for closer cooperation in military training and intelligence, and we are ready to share our country’s significant experience in the fight against terrorism.”
He added that positive outcomes were expected from meetings Nigerian officials would hold with leading Turkish defence industry companies during the visit.
In his remarks, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Republic of Türkiye for its openness and willingness to collaborate in promoting freedom, stability and global prosperity.
He emphasised the importance of building an inclusive economy, particularly one that focuses on vulnerable populations.
President Tinubu commended President Erdogan for being “willing to collaborate, willing to help and willing to work together to promote freedom, stability and shared prosperity across the world.”
He said, “What is very important to the countries being discussed is trade and business without restrictions—giving opportunities to those who are ready to learn, work and prosper. How do we build an inclusive economy together? How do we reform and get vulnerable people involved in the economy? How do we ensure peace in the world?”
President Tinubu stressed that Nigeria would continue to play a leading role in promoting peace and stability in Africa, despite instability in parts of the region.
“We discussed efforts against terrorism. We discussed how to defeat agents of destabilisation,” he said.
He also praised President Erdogan’s commitment to global peace, particularly Türkiye’s efforts in Somalia.
At the conclusion of the bilateral meeting, nine agreements were exchanged between the two countries. These included: an Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Diaspora Policy; an Agreement on Defence Cooperation; a Joint Declaration Establishing the Joint Economy and Trade Committee; and an Agreement on Halal Quality Infrastructure.
Others were agreements on cooperation in higher education; media and communication; education; cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye (Diplomacy Academy) and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria (Foreign Affairs Academy); and cooperation between the Ministry of Social Services of the Republic of Türkiye and Nigeria’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
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