Nigeria, Turkey set to sign cooperation agreements during Tinubu’s state visit

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will travel to Turkey on Jan. 26, 2026, for a state visit expected to yield a series of cooperation agreements as the two countries seek to deepen economic, political and strategic ties.

Officials said Nigeria and Turkey plan to sign several memorandums of understanding during the visit, covering sectors including energy, defence, scientific research, media and communication. The agreements are aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation beyond trade and strengthening engagement in areas viewed as strategic by both governments.

The visit comes as Abuja and Ankara move to reinforce their partnership amid shifting global economic and geopolitical dynamics. Nigerian officials said the trip would provide an opportunity to consolidate existing relations while opening new avenues for collaboration.

During the visit, high-level political and diplomatic talks are expected to focus on shared interests in finance, trade, investment and communications, as well as broader regional and international issues. Meetings between senior government officials from both countries are scheduled, alongside a business and economic forum designed to promote private-sector engagement.

Authorities said the economic forum would bring together government representatives and business leaders to explore investment opportunities and deepen commercial ties, particularly in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and services.

Nigeria and Turkey have steadily expanded bilateral relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1962. Cooperation accelerated in recent years following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official visit to Nigeria in October 2021, which marked a turning point in diplomatic and economic engagement between the two countries.

Since then, Ankara has sought to strengthen its presence in Africa through expanded trade, investment and defence cooperation, while Nigeria has pursued partnerships aimed at diversifying its economy and attracting foreign investment.

Trade between the two countries has grown steadily. Bilateral trade flows reached about $877.8 million in 2024, according to data from the International Trade Center, making Turkey one of Nigeria’s significant non-traditional trading partners. Officials from both sides have said there remains substantial untapped potential, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture and energy.

Energy cooperation is expected to feature prominently during Tinubu’s visit, as Nigeria seeks investment to develop its oil, gas and renewable energy sectors. Ankara has also expressed interest in expanding energy partnerships across Africa, including in natural gas infrastructure and power generation.

Defence and security cooperation is another key area on the agenda. Turkey has emerged as a major defence exporter in recent years, while Nigeria has been seeking to strengthen its military capabilities amid ongoing security challenges. Previous engagements between the two countries have included defence equipment procurement and training cooperation.

Agreements related to scientific research, media and communication are also expected to be signed, reflecting a broader effort to institutionalise cooperation across public institutions and promote people-to-people exchanges.

Tinubu, who took office in 2023, has prioritised economic diplomacy as part of his foreign policy agenda, focusing on attracting investment, expanding trade partnerships and strengthening Nigeria’s role in regional and global affairs. His administration has increased engagement with countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia as it seeks to reposition Africa’s largest economy.

For Turkey, the visit underscores its growing diplomatic and economic outreach in Africa, where it has expanded its network of embassies, airlines, construction projects and defence partnerships over the past two decades.

Officials from both countries said the agreements to be signed during the visit are expected to provide a framework for deeper cooperation and signal a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.