President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.
The President left Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at approximately 2:05 p.m. on Monday, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The visit seeks to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation. Onanuga noted that the trip follows a previous official visit to Nigeria by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from October 19 to 20, 2021, which reinforced diplomatic ties between Abuja and Ankara.
During the visit, both countries are expected to engage in strategic political and diplomatic discussions covering finance, communication, trade, and investment. The programme will include meetings between senior government officials and the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in areas such as scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military collaboration, and protocol.
A business forum will also be held on the sidelines of the visit, providing a platform for Nigerian and Turkish investors to explore opportunities for mutual economic growth.
Members of President Tinubu’s delegation include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); and Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Jimi Benson. Other officials on the trip are the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit.
