By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Türkiye has ended, with Nigeria and Türkiye strengthening their diplomatic and economic ties.
President Tinubu returned to Abuja on Saturday evening, greeted by top government officials including Nyesom Wike, Wale Edun, and Bello Matawalle.
During his visit, President Tinubu met with Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and they discussed ways to boost cooperation in areas like trade, defence, energy, and counter-terrorism. President Erdoğan announced plans to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion, stating that discussions were already underway to achieve the target. He also revealed plans for a Joint Economy and Trade Committee to unlock investment opportunities.
President Erdoğan praised President Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying that the Nigerian delegation’s size showed strong commitment to strengthening ties. He welcomed Nigeria’s energy sector reforms and expected cooperation between Turkish and Nigerian institutions to yield results. He also pledged support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, offering collaboration in military training and defence partnerships.
President Tinubu thanked Türkiye for its partnership, saying that it is crucial for promoting stability and prosperity. He emphasized the need for an inclusive economy and commended President Erdoğan’s role in promoting peace in Somalia. The visit led to nine agreements covering economy, defence, education, and more, set to strengthen bilateral relations.
