…Bianca revealed that bilateral trade between the two countries is approaching $2 billion, including contributions from the informal sector.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fully implementing its cooperation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Turkey.
She made this known during a courtesy visit by the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, at her office in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, the minister referenced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official visit to Ankara on January 27, 2026, at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The visit, which included several ministers and Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, resulted in the signing of multiple bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening relations between both countries.
The agreements cover key sectors such as education, diplomacy, trade, defence, media, and social development. Among them are a cooperation agreement in education, an MoU between Nigeria’s Foreign Service Academy and Turkey’s Diplomacy Academy, and a Joint Declaration establishing a Joint Economic and Trade Committee. Others include a protocol on military cooperation and agreements on halal quality infrastructure, media collaboration, and social services for vulnerable groups.
Bianca, stressed that such agreements must go beyond formal documentation, urging relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to develop actionable roadmaps for their implementation, as directed by President Tinubu.
Bianca, noted that Nigeria and Türkiye share similar positions on global issues such as terrorism, climate change, migration, and the need for reforms in global governance systems to promote inclusiveness and international stability.
Highlighting economic relations, Bianca revealed that bilateral trade between the two countries is approaching $2 billion, including contributions from the informal sector. She added that recent engagements, including a January 2026 trade forum in Ankara, align with the government’s efforts to boost economic cooperation and achieve a $5 billion trade target.
A major outcome of the forum, Bianca said, was the activation of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee, which will serve as a structured platform to address trade barriers and enhance private sector participation.
The minister also pointed to opportunities for collaboration in modernising Nigeria’s energy and agricultural sectors through Turkish expertise, particularly in leveraging halal quality standards to access European and Middle Eastern markets.
In his remarks, Ambassador Poroy highlighted ongoing defence cooperation between both countries and stressed the importance of holding counter-terrorism consultations in Abuja. He expressed optimism that the Joint Economic and Trade Committee would further strengthen economic ties and help both nations achieve their $5 billion trade goal.
