Tinubu Embarks on High-Stakes State Visit to Türkiye

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to depart the nation’s capital, Abuja, today, Monday, January 26, 2026, for a high-profile state visit to the Republic of Türkiye. This diplomatic mission marks a pivotal moment in the administration’s “Renewed Hope” foreign policy agenda, specifically aimed at recalibrating Nigeria’s strategic partnerships with Eurasian powers. The visit is designed to solidify long-standing ties between Abuja and Ankara while opening fresh frontiers in sectors that are critical to Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges.

According to a detailed briefing from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the visit serves as a diplomatic follow-up to the 2021 official tour of Nigeria by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. By reciprocating that visit, President Tinubu is signaling Nigeria’s readiness to move beyond mere diplomatic pleasantries and toward concrete, system-based collaborations. The agenda is packed with high-level political dialogues and technical sessions focused on finance, communication, trade, and investment.

A central pillar of this trip is the signing of several groundbreaking Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that could redefine Nigeria’s industrial and defense landscape. These agreements are expected to cover a wide range of interests, including scientific research, energy development, and technical cooperation. Notably, the focus on military cooperation stands out, as Nigeria looks to leverage Türkiye’s rapidly advancing defense technology and manufacturing capabilities to bolster its own internal security apparatus.

The economic dimension of the visit will be anchored by a Nigeria-Türkiye Business Forum. This platform is curated to bring together captains of industry and private-sector investors from both nations. The goal is to facilitate direct investment into Nigeria’s burgeoning sectors, such as aviation, innovation, and social development. For the Tinubu administration, this forum represents a strategic opportunity to market Nigeria as a prime destination for Turkish firms already seeking to expand their footprint across the African continent.

Security, education, and social development are also high on the priority list. Türkiye’s proven track record in infrastructure and vocational education presents a model that the Nigerian delegation is keen to explore. By fostering deeper ties in aviation and innovation, the administration hopes to attract technical expertise that can modernize Nigeria’s transport hubs and digital economy. This multifaceted approach reflects a shift toward holistic diplomacy where security and economic prosperity are seen as two sides of the same coin.

The President is traveling with a powerhouse delegation, reflecting the broad scope of the bilateral talks. The entourage includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; and the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd). Their presence underscores the legal and tactical weight behind the proposed agreements. Also joining the mission is Hon. Jimi Benson, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, ensuring legislative alignment with the executive’s security goals.

Furthermore, the delegation features key voices in social and internal affairs, including the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The presence of the Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, suggests that the “soft power” of cultural exchange will also be a topic of discussion. Coordinating the sensitive intelligence and safety aspects of the trip are the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.

As President Tinubu touches down in Türkiye, the eyes of the international community will be on the outcomes of his discussions with President Erdoğan. For Nigeria, this is more than just a routine diplomatic stop; it is a calculated move to diversify its global alliances and secure the technical support needed for national transformation. The President is expected to return to Nigeria immediately following the conclusion of the state visit, hopefully with a portfolio of signed agreements that will translate into tangible benefits for the Nigerian people.