By Ayo Ayodele
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Monday, January 26, depart Abuja for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye as part of efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations and expand cooperation between both countries.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency, the visit is aimed at consolidating the long-standing cordial ties between Nigeria and Türkiye, while exploring new areas of partnership in security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation.
During the visit, President Tinubu is expected to hold strategic political and diplomatic engagements with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other top officials of the host country. The discussions will focus on shared interests in finance, communication, trade, and investment.
The programme of activities will also feature meetings between senior government officials from both nations, as well as the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs). Areas earmarked for cooperation include scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military collaboration, and protocol.
A Nigeria–Türkiye business forum will also be held on the sidelines of the visit, bringing together investors from both countries to identify and explore mutual investment opportunities.
The Presidency recalled that President Erdogan paid an official visit to Nigeria in October 2021, a move that further strengthened bilateral relations between Abuja and Ankara.
Members of President Tinubu’s delegation participating in the bilateral engagements include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); and the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Jimi Benson.
Also on the delegation are the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit.