Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye have agreed to fast-track cooperation on trade, energy and defence, with both countries targeting a $5 billion bilateral trade volume and signing multiple agreements to strengthen strategic ties, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said during an official visit to Ankara.
The leaders discussed deepening partnerships to boost jobs, investment and economic growth.
Tinubu announced the developments via his official X account on January 27, 2026, while meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as part of a three-day state visit aimed at expanding economic and security cooperation between the two nations.
The collaboration aims to address structural barriers to business, expand trade volumes and deepen energy sector engagement, with both leaders reaffirming commitments to create mutual economic benefits.
Tinubu said the talks were “practical and forward-looking” and focused on removing obstacles to trade and shared prosperity.
At the heart of the partnership is the establishment of a Joint Economic and Trade Committee to drive the implementation of agreements and attract fresh investment.
Tinubu said the committee would support industrial growth, encourage technology transfer and bolster private-sector participation in both economies.
President Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to the $5 billion trade target, noting discussions had commenced on the steps required to reach the goal.
He highlighted the potential for expanded cooperation in trade, investment, energy and defence industries as part of a broader strategic engagement between the two countries.
In addition to economic cooperation, both governments emphasised the importance of security collaboration.
Tinubu said Nigeria would continue to play its role in promoting peace and stability across Africa, and that Türkiye’s experience in counterterrorism and defence cooperation would strengthen collective responses to emerging security threats.
The visit culminated in the signing of nine bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding, spanning defence cooperation, education, media and communication, diaspora policy, trade facilitation and social development.
The accords are intended to institutionalise cooperation and provide frameworks for long-term engagement.
Energy cooperation forms a key pillar of the partnership, with both sides seeking to leverage Nigeria’s energy resources and Türkiye’s industrial capacity to support mutual growth and resilience.
The focus includes expanding energy trade and exploring technical collaboration in the sector.
Nigeria and Türkiye’s strategic engagement reflects a concerted effort to boost economic ties, enhance security collaboration and promote sustainable development through targeted policies and joint institutional mechanisms that support shared interests.
