Nigeria, Türkiye Signed Nine Landmark Agreements to Boost Trade, Defense, Security

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a significant step to deepen bilateral relations, Nigeria and Türkiye signed nine agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during high-level talks at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Tuesday.

The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following one-on-one discussions and delegation-level meetings. The accords span a wide range of sectors, signaling a renewed strategic partnership between the two nations.

Key agreements include cooperation in diaspora policy,  media and communication, higher education, halal accreditation, military affairs, and diplomatic training. A notable highlight was the adoption of a Joint Declaration establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), aimed at accelerating trade and investment flows.

Another important MoU focused on Halal Quality Infrastructure between Türkiye’s Halal Accreditation Agency and Nigeria’s National Accreditation System, facilitating smoother halal trade and certification processes.

The leaders expressed strong commitment to elevating bilateral trade to $5 billion, building on current volumes and leveraging Türkiye’s growing investments in Nigeria’s defense, construction, energy, and manufacturing sectors.

President Tinubu emphasized that the partnership would create jobs, attract investment, and deliver shared prosperity, while welcoming Erdoğan’s support for Nigeria’s economic reforms, particularly in energy.

On the security front, President Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s solidarity with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, pledging enhanced cooperation in military training, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism efforts—especially amid instability in the Sahel region. Türkiye has already supplied Nigeria with drones and attack helicopters, underscoring the deepening defense ties.

The visit, which began on January 26, 2026, reflects both countries’ determination to expand collaboration across political, economic, and security domains. Diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Nigeria, established in 1960, continue to strengthen, with Türkiye positioning itself as a key partner for Africa’s largest economy.

Officials from both sides described the outcomes as a clear pathway to mutual growth, with ongoing efforts to remove trade barriers and explore opportunities in energy, education, and social development.

The agreements are expected to pave the way for increased people-to-people contacts, institutional exchanges, and joint initiatives that benefit citizens of both nations.