The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to implementing cooperation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with Turkey. 

This commitment was highlighted during a courtesy visit by the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, at her office in Abuja.

The move follows President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to Ankara in January 2026, where he met with Turkish President Recep Erdoğan to strengthen bilateral ties. Accompanied by six ministers and the National Security Adviser, the President oversaw the signing of several key agreements across various sectors.

These agreements cover a broad spectrum, including education, military cooperation, and a joint economic and trade committee.

Other signed documents focus on media, social services for vulnerable groups, and the development of halal quality infrastructure to expand market access.

President Tinubu has directed all relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to submit detailed implementation roadmaps for these agreements. This directive ensures that the outcomes of the diplomatic engagements are converted into actionable progress rather than remaining as mere paperwork.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasized that the true value of these diplomatic ties lies in their practical impact on the lives of citizens. She noted that while political relations are cordial, the focus must now shift toward effective execution and shared strategic goals.

“Bilateral relations between Nigeria and Türkiye have blossomed over the years in all ramifications, and political relations between both countries remain cordial. Nigeria and Türkiye hold similar views on strategies to address global issues, including terrorism, climate change, human migration, promotion of international peace and security, as well as the need for reforms in global governance systems to ensure inclusiveness,” she said.

The economic relationship between the two nations is also on an upward trajectory, with trade volume currently approaching $2 billion. The Federal Government aims to increase this figure to $5 billion by leveraging the Renewed Hope Agenda and the newly activated Joint Economic and Trade Committee.

Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Poroy underscored the importance of ongoing defense cooperation and upcoming counter-terrorism consultations. He expressed optimism that the structured trade platform would address existing barriers and significantly boost private sector participation between the two countries.