President Bola Tinubu has left Abuja for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye, marking another step in Nigeria’s push to strengthen bilateral ties with key international partners.
The President departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 2:05 p.m. on Monday, January 26.
FIRST DAILY recalls that according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the visit is designed to deepen cooperation between Nigeria and Türkiye across critical sectors such as security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation.
Onanuga said the trip builds on the official visit to Nigeria by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan between October 19 and 20, 2021, a visit that further strengthened diplomatic relations between Abuja and Ankara.
During President Tinubu’s stay, both countries are expected to engage in high level political and diplomatic discussions centred on shared interests in finance, communication, trade, and investment.
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The visit will also include meetings involving senior government officials from both sides, as well as the signing of several memoranda of understanding covering scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military collaboration, and protocol.
A business forum is scheduled to hold alongside the visit, bringing together Nigerian and Turkish investors to explore areas of mutual economic benefit, the presidency said.
Members of the President’s delegation taking part in the bilateral engagements include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), and the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Jimi Benson.
Also on the delegation are the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Suleiman Ibrahim, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, the Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the end of the visit.