Nigeria, Türkiye Target $5bn Trade As Tinubu, Erdoğan Deepen Defence, Investment Ties

The Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Mehmet Poroy, disclosed this on Monday, describing Tinubu’s engagement with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a defining moment that had opened a new chapter in relations between the two countries.

At a time Nigeria is battling terrorism, banditry and other security threats while struggling to attract the investment required to diversify its economy, the emerging partnership with Türkiye presents fresh opportunities for defence capacity-building, technology transfer and expanded commercial relations.

Central to the renewed engagement are nine strategic agreements signed during Tinubu’s visit, alongside plans to increase bilateral trade from approximately $2 billion to $5 billion and expand Türkiye’s support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.

Poroy said the two countries were determined to translate their longstanding diplomatic relationship into practical cooperation capable of delivering measurable benefits to their economies and populations.

He described Nigeria as a strategic partner and a major economic force in Africa, stressing that Türkiye was interested in a relationship built on mutual respect and benefits rather than one-sided commercial interests.

Perhaps the most consequential dimension of the renewed relationship is defence and security cooperation, particularly as Nigeria continues to confront multiple security threats across its geopolitical zones.

Poroy said Türkiye was committed to supporting Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts through the provision of military equipment, specialised training and technical assistance.

The cooperation includes the supply of attack helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, popularly known as drones, as well as expanded training programmes for Nigerian Special Forces personnel.

More significantly, discussions are underway to establish military training facilities in Nigeria, a development that could strengthen local capacity to train specialised personnel and deepen institutional cooperation between the armed forces of both countries.

For Nigeria which has invested heavily in military hardware and international security partnerships over the years, the prospect of more structured defence cooperation with Türkiye offers another avenue for strengthening operational capabilities.

Türkiye has developed a growing defence manufacturing industry, particularly in unmanned aerial systems, military aviation and other security technologies.

Its experience and growing defence industrial capacity could provide opportunities for Nigeria to strengthen its military capabilities, although the extent of the benefits will depend on the terms of procurement agreements, technology transfer and the development of indigenous technical expertise.

The renewed engagement also reflects the growing importance of international partnerships in Nigeria’s efforts to address insecurity, which has continued to undermine agriculture, commercial activities, investment and livelihoods in several parts of the country.

Beyond military cooperation, both countries are setting their sights on a substantial expansion of economic relations, with a $5 billion bilateral trade target representing one of the most ambitious outcomes of the renewed diplomatic engagement.

Poroy said the two governments were working towards increasing trade from its current level of approximately $2 billion, noting that Nigeria’s economic importance made it a critical partner in Türkiye’s engagement with Africa.

The trade ambition was also reaffirmed by Erdogan during Tinubu’s January visit, when the Turkish president expressed his country’s determination to expand commercial exchanges with Nigeria.

To achieve the target, Poroy said Türkiye was facilitating visa processes for Nigerian business executives to encourage direct business engagements, investment partnerships and stronger private-sector participation.

The initiative is expected to improve access for Nigerian entrepreneurs seeking opportunities in the Turkish market while encouraging Turkish investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria.