* Ambassador highlights defence cooperation, $5bn trade ambition, humanitarian assistance and educational exchanges; explains e-Visa suspension and announces plans for new visa centre
Türkiye has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening relations with Nigeria, highlighting opportunities for expanded cooperation in defence, trade, education, humanitarian assistance and cultural exchange as the two countries mark 66 years of diplomatic relations.
Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, outlined the areas of growing partnership between both countries during a press gathering organised by the Embassy of Türkiye in Abuja on Monday, November 9, to commemorate the anniversary.
The occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on the longstanding relationship between the two nations, review achievements in bilateral cooperation and explore new areas of engagement.
Poroy said Türkiye was keen to strengthen its strategic partnership with Nigeria, particularly in security, economic development and technology, while promoting stronger institutional and people-to-people connections.
On defence cooperation, the ambassador disclosed that 200 Nigerian Special Forces personnel were undergoing a two-month training programme in Türkiye, describing the initiative as part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of Nigeria’s security forces.
He also revealed that discussions were ongoing on the possibility of establishing a military training facility in Nigeria, alongside opportunities for local production of defence equipment.
“We are not only talking about selling to Nigeria the tools, equipment and arms that it needs, but also the possibility of having local production here in Nigeria,” Poroy said.
He noted that Türkiye had accumulated about four decades of experience in counterterrorism, stressing that tackling the challenge required a comprehensive approach that went beyond military operations to address its economic, social and religious dimensions.
Trade partnership targets $5bn
Economic cooperation featured prominently in the ambassador’s remarks, with both countries working towards increasing bilateral trade from approximately $2 billion to $5 billion.
The target follows President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Türkiye in January 2026, during which the two countries signed nine agreements and memoranda of understanding covering strategic areas of mutual interest.
The agreements span military cooperation, higher education, media and communication, diplomatic training, diaspora policy, halal quality infrastructure, education, family and social services, as well as the establishment of a Joint Economic and Trade Committee.
Poroy said efforts were underway to translate the agreements into practical outcomes, noting that improved business engagement and easier movement for Nigerian entrepreneurs would be important to achieving the trade target.
He disclosed that Türkiye had facilitated visa procedures for Nigerian businesspeople and that he had held engagements with chambers of commerce in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Lagos to identify opportunities for trade and investment.
Türkiye explains e-Visa suspension for Nigerians
Addressing concerns over the suspension of electronic visa (e-Visa) issuance to Nigerian passport holders, Poroy attributed the decision to the discovery of forged Schengen, United Kingdom and United States visas on the passports of some applicants.
He explained that possession of valid visas from these countries had previously been one of the conditions for eligible Nigerians to obtain Turkish e-Visas. However, the discovery of fraudulent documents among some applicants prompted Turkish authorities to suspend the arrangement.
Poroy clarified that the suspension did not amount to a general visa ban on Nigerians, stressing that the Turkish government continued to process applications through its regular visa channels.
He said the absence of the e-Visa option did not make it impossible for Nigerians to travel to Türkiye, adding that genuine applications were still being processed and forwarded to Ankara for consideration.
The ambassador also said Nigerian businesspeople enjoyed special consideration under existing visa arrangements, with the embassy able to process certain categories of applications directly.
Looking ahead, Poroy expressed hope that the e-Visa facility could be restored during his tenure.
He also announced plans to establish a Turkish visa application centre in Kano before the end of 2026 to make services more accessible to residents of Northern Nigeria.
He said the proposed centre would reduce the need for applicants from the region to travel to Abuja or Lagos for visa-related services. He further expressed hope that a visa office could eventually be established in Port Harcourt to serve applicants in the South-South region.
Centuries-old historical connections
Beyond contemporary diplomatic relations, Türkiye and Nigeria share historical connections dating back several centuries, particularly between the Ottoman Empire and the Kanem-Borno Sultanate.
Poroy drew attention to historical correspondence between Ottoman Sultan Murad III and Malik Idris, dated May 29, 1577, as evidence of diplomatic engagement between the two authorities in the 16th century.
Historical records also indicate that Ottoman authorities issued instructions to provincial officials in Tripoli, Egypt and Fezzan to facilitate the safe passage of travellers, merchants and Hajj pilgrims from Kanem-Borno.
The connections provide an important historical dimension to relations between the peoples of present-day Türkiye and Nigeria, demonstrating that their interactions predate the establishment of modern diplomatic ties.
Another notable link is the historic Shitta-Bey Mosque in Lagos, inaugurated in 1894. Abdullah Quilliam, a British Muslim scholar associated with the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II, was connected with the mosque’s historic inauguration.
These historical links remain part of the wider cultural and religious connections that have helped shape relations between the two countries over time.
Türkiye strengthens humanitarian support
The ambassador also highlighted Türkiye’s humanitarian engagement in Nigeria, disclosing that Turkish non-governmental organisations and the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation spent approximately $5 million on humanitarian activities in the country in the preceding year.
The interventions included food and meat distribution in Abuja, Kano, Adamawa and Yobe states, supporting vulnerable households and communities.
He further disclosed that the Turkish government provided food assistance to 3,000 internally displaced families in Adamawa State.
The interventions underscore Türkiye’s continued engagement with humanitarian needs in Nigeria, particularly among communities affected by displacement and economic hardship.
Scholarships, cultural exchange deepen ties
Education and cultural diplomacy also featured among the areas identified for stronger bilateral engagement.
Poroy highlighted Türkiye’s scholarship programme for Nigerian students, which has supported educational exchanges between both countries since 1992, providing opportunities for Nigerians to pursue higher education in Türkiye.
The Yunus Emre Institute in Abuja also serves as a platform for promoting Turkish language, arts and cultural heritage while encouraging greater interaction between Nigerians and Turks.
As part of its cultural activities, the embassy announced an art exhibition titled “In Nature”, featuring works by the ambassador’s wife. The exhibition is scheduled to open on November 20 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Art Gallery in Abuja.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen cultural understanding and people-to-people relations between both countries.
From diplomatic ties to strategic partnership
Nigeria and Türkiye formally established diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level on November 9, 1960. Türkiye had earlier opened a Consulate General in Lagos in April 1959, while its first ambassador to Nigeria arrived in 1962.
The Turkish Embassy was later relocated to Abuja in 2001.
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