Nigeria has signed a series of trade and security agreements with Turkey aimed at expanding bilateral trade to US$5 billion and deepening defence cooperation, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intensifies efforts to attract foreign investment and stabilise Africa’s largest economy.
The agreements were concluded during President Tinubu’s official visit to Ankara, where both countries signed nine memoranda of understanding spanning trade, energy, defence, education, media, and agriculture. The visit marks a renewed diplomatic push by Nigeria to translate recent economic reforms into tangible capital inflows, technology transfer, and job creation.
At the core of the agreements is a commitment to raise bilateral trade from approximately US$2 billion to $5 billion. Nigeria’s exports to Turkey currently include crude oil and agricultural commodities, while Turkish exports to Nigeria range from aircraft and helicopters to iron and steel products, chemicals, and industrial equipment.
Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President Tinubu said the two countries had agreed to establish a Joint Economy and Trade Committee to fast-track investment opportunities and resolve structural barriers to commerce. According to him, the committee is expected to play a central role in coordinating public and private sector engagement between both economies.
Beyond trade, the agreements extend to cooperation in energy development, higher education, and Halal Quality Infrastructure. This framework is intended to help Nigerian agricultural products meet international certification standards, opening access to new export markets and improving value-chain competitiveness.
According to sources, the Ankara talks also reflect Nigeria’s broader economic strategy following major policy shifts, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate liberalisation. International institutions have urged the government to leverage these reforms by aggressively courting global investors. Earlier this month, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation called on Nigeria to position itself as a credible destination for global supply chains and long-term capital.
Security cooperation formed a major pillar of the discussions. Nigeria and Turkey signed a Protocol on Military Cooperation covering intelligence sharing and specialised defence training. The agreement comes as Nigeria continues to battle insurgency, banditry, and other internal security challenges.
President Erdoğan expressed Turkey’s support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, noting that both countries had identified areas for deeper collaboration in military capacity-building and intelligence exchange. Nigeria has increasingly relied on Turkish defence technology, including drones and counter-drone systems, to strengthen surveillance and border security.
Analysts say the agreements highlight Turkey’s growing role as a strategic partner for Nigeria in both economic and security domains. While President Tinubu’s frequent foreign engagements have attracted domestic scrutiny, his administration maintains that active economic diplomacy is critical to unlocking investment, improving security, and delivering long-term economic relief.
The key test, according to sources, will be whether the Ankara agreements move swiftly from signed frameworks to concrete investments, employment opportunities, and improved living standards for Nigerians.
Nigeria, Turkey set to sign cooperation agreements during Tinubu’s state visit
