Türkiye, Nigeria to bolster trade and defense ties in Ankara talks

Türkiye and Nigeria are set to hold high-level talks in Ankara on Monday, aiming to strengthen their partnership across trade, defense, and regional diplomacy. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will welcome his visiting counterpart, Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, marking Tuggar's inaugural diplomatic visit to Türkiye.

Broadening Economic and Security Cooperation

The agenda for the ministerial meeting is comprehensive. A key priority will be identifying concrete steps to increase the bilateral trade volume and mutual investments, with a particular focus on opportunities for Turkish businesses in Nigeria. Minister Fidan is also expected to highlight the considerable potential for the two nations to further solidify their existing collaboration in military and defense industry matters. Counter-terrorism will be another critical topic, with Türkiye emphasizing the importance of sustained cooperation and solidarity in this field.

Coordinating on Regional and International Platforms

Beyond bilateral matters, the diplomats will align their stances on pressing regional issues. Both Türkiye and Nigeria are members of the OIC-Arab League Gaza Contact Group, and discussions will cover efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza, improve the humanitarian situation, and advance a two-state solution. Consensus on respecting Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with international law will also be underscored. Furthermore, the talks will address enhancing coordination between Ankara and Abuja within international bodies like the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the D-8.

A Growing and Multifaceted Partnership

The high-level engagement builds upon a relationship that has seen substantial growth. Diplomatic ties between Türkiye and Nigeria date back to 1960. As of late 2025, the bilateral trade volume reached $688.4 million, making Nigeria Türkiye's largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa when energy exports are included. Over 50 Turkish companies operate in Nigeria with investments totaling approximately $400 million, while Turkish contractors have undertaken projects nearing a combined value of $3 billion. Cooperation in defense and security has strengthened steadily, supported by educational and cultural exchanges like the Türkiye Scholarships program for Nigerian students.