President Tinubu Returns to Abuja Following Visit to Turkey

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made his way back to Abuja following a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye.

The President touched down in Abuja on Saturday evening at approximately 8:55 p.m. local time, after embarking on the official trip from Nigeria on January 26 along with several ministers and other governmental figures.

During his time in Türkiye, President Tinubu successfully obtained a commitment from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to boost the trade volume between the two nations to $5 billion. Discussions aimed at realizing this target have begun, according to statements from Tinubu.

This pledge was made by President Erdoğan during a joint press conference with President Tinubu, part of the Nigerian leader's itinerary during the state visit.

Currently, the trade volume between Nigeria and Türkiye hovers around $2 billion. Türkiye exports aircraft, helicopters, machinery, iron and steel, and various chemical products to Nigeria, while Nigeria sends crude oil and agricultural products to Türkiye.

President Erdoğan emphasized that the creation of a Joint Economy and Trade Committee would facilitate the expansion of Turkish investments in Nigeria and aid in achieving the $5 billion trade goal.

At the end of their discussions, President Tinubu and his team finalized nine agreements that included a Diaspora Policy, Defence Cooperation, a Joint Declaration to form the Economy and Trade Joint Committee, and Halal Quality Infrastructure.

Other agreements focused on collaboration in Higher Education, Media and Communication, Education, partnerships between Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and cooperation between Türkiye’s Ministry of Social Services and Nigeria’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.