Tinubu Returns to Abuja After Türkiye Visit, Seals $5bn Trade and Security Agreements

President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja at about 8:55 p.m. after concluding a state visit to Türkiye aimed at deepening diplomatic, economic and security ties between both countries.

The President was received on arrival by senior government officials. He had departed Abuja on January 26, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Türkiye.

The visit followed an earlier trip to Nigeria by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an between October 19 and 20, 2021, which helped consolidate ties between Abuja and Ankara.

During the multi-day engagement, President Tinubu and President Erdo?an signed nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering key sectors, with a major focus on expanding bilateral trade from $2 billion to $5 billion.

Speaking during a joint briefing with his Turkish counterpart, Tinubu said both leaders agreed to establish a Joint Economy and Trade Committee to drive investment and deepen economic cooperation.

“We also discussed opportunities to support our investments in Nigeria. The joint Economy and Trade Committee we agreed to establish will be critical in achieving this,” Tinubu said.

The agreements signed during the visit spanned energy cooperation, media collaboration, higher education, and Halal Quality Infrastructure, a move expected to enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian agricultural exports.

On the security front, President Erdo?an pledged Türkiye’s support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, expressing readiness to strengthen cooperation in military training and intelligence sharing.

At a joint press conference, the Turkish leader said Nigeria, under Tinubu’s leadership, is taking decisive steps against terrorism and assured continued support from Türkiye.

“We are ready to share Türkiye’s significant experience in counterterrorism,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga quoted Erdo?an as saying.

Erdo?an also warned that terrorist groups, particularly those operating in Africa’s Sahel region, pose a serious threat to regional stability.

As part of the visit, Nigerian officials held meetings with leading Turkish defence industry firms and expressed optimism that the engagements would yield positive outcomes.

Currently, Nigeria exports crude oil and agricultural products to Türkiye, while Türkiye supplies Nigeria with aircraft, iron and steel products, chemicals, and helicopters.