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Türkiye and Nigeria share a common vision on counterterrorism and key African issues, Türkiye’s ambassador to Abuja said, describing Nigeria as “critically important” to any Africa-focused policy.
Mehmet Poroy said Nigeria is West Africa’s leading country, the largest economy in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the fourth-largest economy on the continent, with a population exceeding 230 million.
“Nigeria’s stability is vital not only to West Africa but to the entire continent,” he said.
Poroy said Abuja holds particular importance for Ankara as both countries face similar security threats. Nigeria continues to combat terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, while Türkiye has long fought various terrorist organizations.
He said Ankara remains committed to supporting Nigeria by sharing expertise, resources and capabilities, highlighting cooperation against the FETO terrorist organization as a key element of bilateral ties.
Describing the two countries as “two countries that play strong, game-changing roles in their respective regions,” Poroy said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Jan. 27 visit to Türkiye marked a new phase in relations.
The visit followed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s trip to Nigeria in October 2021 and demonstrated both governments’ strong will to deepen cooperation. Nine agreements were signed covering security, education and trade, with an emphasis on swift implementation.
“We can say that we have entered a new phase in military cooperation, with closer coordination expected,” Poroy said.
He said Türkiye’s Africa policy is based on a win-win approach, respect for sovereignty and opposition to external interventions, aligning with Nigeria’s support for “African solutions to African problems.”
Poroy also noted that both governments recently took a joint stance against Israel’s recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, issuing statements in support of Mogadishu, including within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation framework.
He added that Türkiye’s stabilization efforts in Somalia are highly valued by Nigeria and that Ankara continues to support Abuja’s leadership within ECOWAS in promoting democracy and regional peace.
Poroy said economic cooperation is another priority, with both sides aiming to increase bilateral trade from around $1 billion to $5 billion.
During Erdogan’s 2021 visit to Nigeria, three memorandums of understanding were signed in energy, mining and hydrocarbons, creating a legal framework for cooperation. Working groups have since met to develop models for concrete projects.
Nigeria, rich in solid minerals, seeks not only to extract but also to process resources domestically, Poroy said, adding that Türkiye can share its capabilities in this field.
He said there is significant potential in electricity production and distribution, and Turkish companies already operating in Nigeria are expanding their presence, with growing interest in oil and natural gas sectors.
A key outcome of Tinubu’s visit was the signing of a joint statement establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee (JETCO), aimed at removing trade and investment barriers.
“With JETCO becoming operational, we expect our bilateral trade, currently around $1 billion, to increase toward the $5 billion target,” Poroy said, adding that both countries are eager to deepen political ties and maintain comprehensive consultations on bilateral and regional issues.
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