Crunch Times News

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Monday, January 26, depart Abuja for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between both countries.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the visit is designed to deepen the long-standing cordial ties between Nigeria and Türkiye, while exploring new areas of partnership in security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation.

The statement recalled that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid an official visit to Nigeria from October 19 to 20, 2021, underscoring the growing diplomatic engagement between the two nations.

During President Tinubu’s visit, both countries are expected to hold strategic political and diplomatic talks focused on shared interests in finance, communication, trade, and investment.

Onanuga said the agenda will include meetings between top government officials from both sides, as well as the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military cooperation, and protocol, among others.

A Nigeria–Türkiye business forum will also be held during the visit, bringing together investors from both countries to identify and explore areas of mutual economic interest.

Members of the President’s entourage 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.

Others are the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the 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.

The statement added that President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit.