…Seals nine bilateral agreements
…Tinubu ‘fit and working’ — Spokesman dismisses health rumours
…As Expert calls for structured military partnerships to safeguard Nat’l security
By Sodiq Adelakun
Türkiye has pledged to reinforce counterterrorism, military training, and intelligence cooperation with Nigeria following high-level talks between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Ankara.
President Erdoğan addressed a joint news conference on Tuesday at the Presidential Complex, describing Nigeria as a strategic partner and reaffirming Türkiye’s readiness to assist the country’s campaign against terrorism.
“We stand with the brotherly people of Nigeria in their fight against terrorism. We reviewed opportunities for closer cooperation in military training and intelligence,” Erdoğan said.
The discussions covered collaboration across a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, education, energy, and the defence industry. Erdoğan recalled that his 2021 visit to Nigeria laid a foundation for expanding relations. He drew attention to strong political will on both sides, referencing the senior Nigerian officials accompanying President Tinubu.
Both nations signed nine agreements spanning diplomacy, education, media, women’s affairs, halal accreditation, diaspora engagement, and military cooperation. Key instruments include a military cooperation protocol, a memorandum on media and communication, a pact establishing the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), and memorandums between the diplomacy academies of both foreign ministries.
The agreements are designed to reinforce political, economic, and security ties, while also enhancing operational capability and strategic collaboration.
“This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to addressing global security challenges, advancing economic development, and strengthening the bonds of friendship between Türkiye and Nigeria,” Erdoğan stated.
The visit is projected to provide Nigeria with essential support in addressing terrorism, banditry, and other cross-border threats, marking a significant step in deepening strategic relations between Ankara and Abuja.
…Tinubu ‘fit and working’ — Spokesman dismisses health rumours
Meanwhile, the Presidency has confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains in good health and is proceeding with his state visit to Türkiye as scheduled. The update came on Tuesday from the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, via his verified X account.
“President Tinubu, after a stately welcome ceremony in Ankara, proceeded to scheduled bilateral meetings with the President of Türkiye and other senior government officials,” the statement read.
According to the Presidency, the meetings are structured to reinforce diplomatic relations and expand cooperation across strategic areas such as defence and security, trade and investment, energy, and broader economic development. The steady progression of the visit illustrates strengthened ties between Nigeria and Türkiye and reinforces Nigeria’s renewed diplomatic outreach under President Tinubu.
Responding to speculation about the President’s wellbeing, Presidential Spokesperson Mr Bayo Onanuga clarified that the President encountered a minor incident in Ankara.
“The President stepped on a metal on the floor, which made him lose his balance. This is not a big deal, except for those who want to make mischief out of a fleeting incident. It was a mere stumble, thank God, not a fall,” Onanuga said.
The Presidency called on the public to dismiss attempts to sensationalise the brief stumble and stated that President Tinubu remains fully fit and engaged in official duties.
…As Expert calls for structured military partnerships to safeguard Nat’l security
A senior security expert and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ambassador Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has described President Tinubu’s visit as a strategic window for Nigeria to strengthen counterterrorism efforts and broaden military cooperation against the backdrop of the country’s escalating security concerns.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by his media aide, Rasheed Abubakar, Mumuni said the trip offers more than routine diplomatic contact because it provides a timely platform for Nigeria to fortify its defence and security partnership with Türkiye.
“This visit presents an opportunity for Nigeria to leverage Türkiye’s growing influence in global defence manufacturing, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism operations, at a time when we continue to grapple with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other transnational crimes,” Mumuni said.
Mumuni, who served on the intelligence and security team of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 elections, observed that Türkiye has become a prominent actor in military technology and security cooperation, making it a critical partner for Nigeria’s ongoing security reforms.
“While Nigeria and Türkiye have maintained decades of cooperation in trade, education, and diplomacy, current security realities require a renewed focus on defence collaboration, ammunition supply, and intelligence exchange,” he said.
He drew attention to Türkiye’s experience in counterinsurgency, border protection, and the management of complex threats, arguing that Ankara’s operational methods and lessons could help Nigerian security agencies refine their own response strategies and strengthen national security structures.
“A structured, mutually beneficial defence dialogue between the two countries, with well-defined military agreements and transparent procurement frameworks, would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively to both internal and external threats,” he added.
The APC chieftain also called on the Federal Government to ensure that defence partnerships respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and strategic autonomy, cautioning against excessive dependence on countries whose policies and restrictions could impede access to crucial military equipment.
“Arms embargoes, bureaucratic delays, and procurement bottlenecks have, in the past, weakened Nigeria’s ability to respond swiftly to security emergencies. A reliable partnership with Türkiye could help the country overcome such limitations,” he said.
Mumuni described President Tinubu’s visit as a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s determination to defend its territorial integrity and reinforce its position in global security diplomacy.
“Enhanced collaboration with Türkiye would strengthen the fight against terrorism and contribute to long-term stability. Improved military cooperation will not only boost operational capacity but also support training, technology transfer, and local defence production,” he said.
He encouraged Nigerians to support the diplomatic engagement and remarked that the outcome of the visit could create pathways to a safer and more prosperous country.
“Sustained political will, transparency, and strategic partnerships remain essential for addressing Nigeria’s security challenges. Effective utilisation of international alliances, combined with domestic reforms, would enable the country to build a modern, professional, and people-centred security system capable of meeting contemporary threats,” Mumuni added.
