In a significant move to deepen bilateral relations, Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on diaspora engagement and cooperation.
The agreement was finalized in Ankara during the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, signing on behalf of the Federal Government alongside representatives from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, hailed the accord as a historic milestone, marking the first bilateral agreement of its kind since the commission’s inception six years ago.
Speaking during a visit to Türkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), she explained that the MoU establishes a robust framework for the exchange of best practices, joint cultural and educational programs, and the sharing of institutional expertise in managing citizens living abroad.
The partnership aims to harmonize diaspora participation in policy formulation while actively promoting cross-border investment and economic partnerships.
Abdulhadi Turus, head of the YTB, emphasized the potential for the agreement to unite the global Turkish and Nigerian diaspora communities.
He specifically highlighted the long-standing educational ties between the two nations, noting that thousands of Nigerian students currently benefit from the Türkiye Scholarships Program, a trend expected to grow under this new collaborative framework.
Beyond the formal signing, the Nigerian delegation engaged directly with the Nigerian community in Ankara to address pressing local concerns.
Led by Hon. Dabiri-Erewa and supported by Ambassador Zayad Abdulsalam and the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hon. John Owan Enoh, the discussions centered on streamlining passport renewal processes, securing post-study visas, and improving the ease of doing business for Nigerians in Türkiye.
The delegation urged the diaspora to remain exemplary ambassadors while leveraging their professional skills to contribute to Nigeria’s Renewed Hope development agenda.
