* Muslim News publisher, Yunus Emre Director, others for Abuja panel discussion
The Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications has selected Nigeria and nine other countries to host international events commemorating the 10th anniversary of the failed July 15, 2016 coup attempt.
The high level panel discussion, scheduled to hold in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, will bring together academics, diplomats, media practitioners, civil society leaders and policymakers.
The Abuja programme, slated for Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, will be held under the theme, “National Will and Democratic Resilience: July 15 in Its 10th Year.”
Muslim News gathered that the event forms part of a global series of programmes aimed at presenting Türkiye’s democratic experience to the international community while highlighting the country’s resilience in the face of the failed coup attempt.
Abuja panel to feature Nigerian, Turkish experts
Expected speakers at the Abuja panel include the Publisher of Muslim News Nigeria, Rasheed Abubakar; Director of the Yunus Emre Institute in Nigeria, Fatih Erkin Mahdum; President of the Türkiye Alumni Association of Nigeria, Muhammed Gunmi; and Dr. Zainul Abideen Jibril of Skyline University Nigeria.
The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Tunç Demirtaş, a researcher at the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA).
According to the Directorate of Communications, the panel seeks to explain to Nigerian and African audiences the determined stand of the Turkish people in defending democratic legitimacy and constitutional order during the failed coup attempt.
Organisers said the event will present July 15 not only as a defining moment in Türkiye’s recent history but also as a universal example of protecting the will of the people, democracy and constitutional governance.
The programme will begin with a photo exhibition documenting the events of July 15, 2016, before the panel discussion. It will conclude with the screening of the Turkish film Şafak Vakti (Dawn Time).
Embassy to hold Democracy and National Unity Day event
Ahead of the Abuja panel, the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Nigeria will organise a special commemorative gathering on Wednesday, July 15, at the embassy in Abuja. Time is 11:00am.
The event, which is exclusively for Turkish citizens living in Nigeria, is intended to honour those who lost their lives while resisting the failed coup attempt and celebrate the triumph of democracy, national unity and the resilience of the Turkish people.
The embassy’s programme forms part of Türkiye’s worldwide observance of Democracy and National Unity Day, during which diplomatic missions across the globe will remember the martyrs and veterans of July 15 while reaffirming the country’s commitment to democratic governance and constitutional order.
Nine countries selected for global commemoration
The Abuja event is one of several international programmes planned by the Directorate of Communications as part of activities marking the coup attempt’s 10th anniversary.
Similar panel discussions will also be held in Berlin, Tirana, Brussels, Sarajevo, Jakarta, Pretoria, The Hague and Bern, among other strategic international locations, to draw global attention to the events of July 15, Türkiye’s democratic resilience and what the Turkish government describes as the international terrorist network of FETÖ.
‘Will of the Nation, Victory of Democracy’
Unveiling the roadmap for the anniversary commemorations, Türkiye’s Head of Communications, Burhanettin Duran, said the media and academia have significant responsibilities to preserve the collective memory of July 15 and accurately communicate Türkiye’s victory for democracy to both national and international audiences.
Duran announced that the overarching theme of the 10th anniversary is “Will of the Nation, Victory of Democracy,” reflecting the unity, determination and sacrifice demonstrated by the Turkish people in defending their elected government and constitutional order.
He said the failed coup attempt was thwarted under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan through the courage and sacrifices of the Turkish people, the armed forces and security institutions, describing the events of July 15 as “our nation’s resistance, heroism and victory.”
According to Duran, the communication strategy for the anniversary centres on three manifestations of national will: President Erdoğan’s leadership in calling citizens to resist the coup, the determination of the Turkish people who answered that call, and the resolve of state institutions that defended democracy.
He noted that the tenth anniversary represents more than a remembrance of past events, describing it as a critical milestone in strengthening collective memory, enhancing societal resilience and ensuring that future generations understand the significance of July 15.
Thousands of activities planned across Türkiye
Beyond the international engagements, Türkiye has lined up thousands of commemorative activities across its 81 provinces, including remembrance ceremonies, exhibitions, public lectures, vigils, banner marches, concerts, theatre performances, sporting events, tree planting campaigns and educational programmes. READ IT HERE
The celebrations will also feature three dimensional projection mapping, synchronised drone shows, maritime processions, digital exhibitions, commemorative tents and a symbolic installation comprising 253 Turkish flags representing those who lost their lives during the failed coup attempt.
The Directorate of Communications has equally launched a comprehensive media campaign, including documentaries, television productions, books, digital publications and the National Memory Project, an initiative designed to preserve testimonies and strengthen public understanding of the events of July 15.
As part of the anniversary, TRT has produced new documentaries and television dramas, while the Directorate has published books chronicling the resistance against the coup attempt. Anadolu Agency has also prepared commemorative publications and documentary projects to preserve the historical record.
Duran said the extensive commemorative activities are intended to ensure that the sacrifices of those who defended Türkiye’s democracy are never forgotten while reinforcing the values of national unity, democratic resilience and constitutional governance at home and abroad.
“We will not forget July 15, nor will we allow it to be forgotten,” Duran said, adding that the anniversary programmes are designed to strengthen the bond between future generations and Türkiye’s collective democratic memory.
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