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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will hold talks on Monday with his Nigerian counterpart, Yusuf Tuggar, who is paying his first official visit to Turkey, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
The meetings are expected to focus on further strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across economic, political and security fields. Fidan is set to highlight Nigeria’s contributions to regional stability, economic development and peace in West Africa, the sources said.
The Turkish foreign minister is also expected to address measures aimed at increasing bilateral trade and mutual investment, including issues of relevance to Turkish companies operating in Nigeria. Both sides are expected to underscore the untapped potential for deepening cooperation in military affairs and the defense industry, as well as the importance of continued coordination in efforts to counter terrorist organizations.
Fidan is further expected to emphasize the importance of enhancing cooperation between Ankara and Abuja within multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation.
Regional and international developments are also set to feature prominently in the discussions. As members of the OIC–Arab League Gaza Contact Group, Turkey and Nigeria are expected to maintain close contact on efforts to preserve the ceasefire in Gaza, improve humanitarian conditions and support the implementation of a two-state solution.
Fidan is also expected to underline the importance of shared positions between Turkey and Nigeria on respecting Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity, in accordance with international law.
Turkey–Nigeria relations
According to Turkish official data, diplomatic relations between Turkey and Nigeria were established on Nov. 9, 1960.
Official figures show that bilateral trade between the two countries reached $688.4 million in the first 11 months of 2025. When energy trade is included, Nigeria emerged as Turkey’s largest trading partner in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2025.
Turkish diplomatic sources say more than 50 Turkish-owned companies operate in Nigeria, with total investments estimated at around $400 million. In recent years, Turkish contractors have expanded their presence in the country, with the cumulative value of projects undertaken in Nigeria approaching $3 billion, the sources said.
In parallel with Ankara’s support for Abuja’s counterterrorism efforts, cooperation between the two countries in military, security and defense industry fields has continued to develop in a steady and institutionalized manner, According to Turkish officials.
Educational ties have also grown. based on official data, between 1992 and 2023, 199 Nigerian students graduated under the Turkey Scholarships program. Currently, official figures indicate that 149 Nigerian students are pursuing their studies in Turkey through the same scheme.