President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Ankara on his first official state visit to the Republic of Türkiye, marking a major diplomatic push by his administration to strengthen Nigeria’s strategic, economic and security ties with the Eurasian power. Tinubu’s official aircraft, Nigeria Air Force One, touched down at Ankara Esenboğa Airport at 9:05 pm local time on Sunday night. He was received by a Turkish government delegation led by the Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin, alongside senior Turkish officials.
The president departed Abuja earlier in the day at 2:05 p.m. from the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Senior Nigerian officials who accompanied him to the airport included Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, Budget and Economic Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and presidential spokesman Sunday Dare.
According to the Presidency, the visit is aimed at consolidating long-standing diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Türkiye while opening new fronts of cooperation in security, trade, investment, aviation, education, innovation and social development. In a statement issued ahead of the trip, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the visit reflects Nigeria’s commitment to deepening strategic engagement with Ankara and expanding bilateral cooperation in priority sectors critical to economic growth and national security.
High-level talks between President Tinubu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are scheduled during the visit. The discussions are expected to focus on shared economic interests, defense cooperation, counterterrorism, trade expansion and investment partnerships. Erdoğan last visited Nigeria officially in October 2021, a trip that strengthened Ankara’s footprint in West Africa.
Officials from both countries are also expected to sign multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering scientific research, energy development, technical cooperation, media and communications, military collaboration and diplomatic protocol. A Nigeria -Türkiye Business Forum will be convened as part of the state visit, bringing together investors, business leaders and government officials from both countries to identify new commercial opportunities and accelerate private-sector partnerships.
Members of Tinubu’s delegation participating in the bilateral engagements include Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Attorney-General of the Federation Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (rtd), House Committee on Defence Chairman Jimi Benson, Women Affairs Minister Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Culture and Creative Economy Minister Hannatu Musawa, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and National Intelligence Agency Director-General Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
The visit comes as Nigeria seeks new foreign investment inflows, defense partnerships and trade routes amid domestic economic reforms and rising security challenges. President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit after completing official engagements in Ankara.
