The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Mr Daniel Bwala, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Türkiye as a strategic and highly consequential engagement, dismissing suggestions that it is a routine foreign trip.
Speaking in an interview with State House Correspondents on the sidelines of the visit, Bwala said the trip was at the invitation of the Turkish government, underscoring Nigeria’s growing influence under President Tinubu’s leadership across Africa and beyond.
Bwala stated that President Tinubu’s significant position as a former leader within the ECOWAS bloc, coupled with Nigeria’s strategic relevance on the continent, informed the reception and high expectations surrounding the visit.
“No, it’s not another trip. It’s a strategic trip. First of all, it’s an invitation from this government. Because, of course, you know, the president of Nigeria was a leader of ECOWAS he’s a person of influence in Africa.
“Nigeria also has a strong force in Africa, and with the exceptional breakthrough that we’re having in all fields in Nigeria, and the economy, area of security, politics and all that. So the President showed up today for the state visit” he said.
He explained that the state visit would formally commence with a series of engagements beginning on Tuesday, during which Nigeria and Türkiye would explore areas of mutual interest, particularly in defence, security, and economic cooperation.
Bwala disclosed that key Nigerian ministers accompanying the President are scheduled to hold bilateral talks with their Turkish counterparts, aimed at deepening collaboration across critical sectors.
Read Also: Nigerian President Arrives in Türkiye on State Visit
Highlighting President Tinubu’s international standing, the presidential aide noted that the Nigerian leader’s personality and leadership style have strengthened Nigeria’s diplomatic relations globally, including renewed engagements with major partners such as the U.S., following earlier diplomatic challenges.
He pointed to the recently concluded engagements with the United Arab Emirates as evidence of Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic momentum, adding that the Türkiye visit builds on that progress.
Bwala further emphasised Türkiye’s historical strengths in defence and security, particularly its capacity to manufacture advanced military hardware critical to Nigeria’s security needs.
“The President is a very influential leader whom world leaders know. Of course, you must be aware of the relationship between Nigeria and the US, that’s because of the personality and the leadership that the President brings on board.
“So most of these leaders, especially we, just like you said, we finished with the United Arab Emirates, and now with the government and the people of Turkey, of course, you know, historically, they are good in the area of security.
“They also have the capacity to produce weapons that are key and critical to what we need. We also have areas where we’ve been of help to them.”
He noted that Nigeria and Türkiye have also enjoyed long-standing economic and investment ties, marked by Turkish investments in Nigeria and reciprocal contributions by Nigerians and the Nigerian government to Türkiye over the years.
“This is a meeting of shared interests. It is mutually beneficial, and the Turkish people are clearly expectant about the outcomes,” he said.
Bwala observed a sense of excitement among Turkish officials and citizens following President Tinubu’s arrival, describing it as a reflection of optimism about the prospects of the bilateral discussions.
He assured that details of the deliverables and specific agreements expected from the visit would be communicated at the conclusion of the talks.
President Tinubu’s state visit to Türkiye is expected to further consolidate Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives, strengthen defence cooperation, and unlock new economic opportunities in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.