The Nigerian Leader, President Bola Tinubu alongside his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have witnessed the signing of nine memorandum of understanding spanning across defence and security, trade and investment, energy, and economic development.
President Tinubu had on Tuesday begun his state visit to Türkiye after a welcome ceremony organised for him in Ankara, which marked the commencement of official engagements between both countries.
The agreements signed included a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Diaspora Policy between the Presidency of Turks Abroad and Related Communities of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission.
A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between Türkiye and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Field of Media and Communication.
Also signed was a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Higher Education.
Halal Accreditation Agency
Another Memorandum of Understanding between the Halal Accreditation Agency of the Republic of Türkiye and the Nigerian National Accreditation System in the Field of Halal Quality Infrastructure was also signed.
There was also a Joint Declaration Establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).
A Protocol on Military Cooperation, as well as an Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Education, were also adopted.
A Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye and Nigeria’s Foreign Service Academy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was signed too.
Social Services
The two sides further signed an Agreement on Cooperation between Türkiye’s Ministry of Family and Social Services and Nigeria’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and Türkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Ozdemir Göktaş.
The MoU is expected to deliver far-reaching benefits for Nigerian women through enhanced economic empowerment initiatives, entrepreneurship development, and structured mentoring programmes designed to improve their socio-economic status and promote solidarity.
It also prioritises the strengthening of family units, with plans to support Nigeria’s first National Action Plan on Families, positioning the care economy as a key pillar for sustainable development.
For children, the partnership focuses on the development of comprehensive child protection systems, including early intervention mechanisms aimed at preventing neglect, abuse, and exploitation.
Healthier Childhood
These measures are expected to strengthen safeguarding frameworks and promote healthier childhood development across the country.
The agreement also places strong emphasis on the inclusion of disadvantaged groups, particularly persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
Protection
Speaking at the signing, Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that the MoU aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing the Ministry’s commitment to working “faster and smarter” to positively impact at least 50 million Nigerians by 2030 through targeted social development programmes.
It seeks to ensure their full participation in society while promoting active and dignified ageing, thereby improving access to social services and protection.
The MoU marks the culmination of a year-long engagement between both countries and underscores Nigeria’s resolve to adopt global best practices in advancing gender equality, child welfare, and inclusive social development.
It would be recalled that diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Nigeria were established on Nov. 9, 1960.
Bilateral trade volume reached 688.4 million dollars in the first 11 months of 2025.
This includes energy in which Nigeria has emerged as Türkiye’s largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2025.
More than 50 Turkish-owned companies operate in Nigeria, with total investments valued at around 400 million dollars.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of projects undertaken by Turkish contractors in Nigeria, with the total value of these projects approaching three billion dollars.
In line with Ankara’s support for Abuja’s counterterrorism efforts, cooperation in the fields of military affairs, security, and the defence industry continues to grow stronger in a robust and steady manner.
Lateefah Ibrahim