President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Abuja for a state visit to Türkiye, as Nigeria intensifies diplomatic, economic, and strategic engagement with the Eurasian nation.
The President’s aircraft took off from the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 2:05 p.m., marking the start of a visit aimed at deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across key sectors.
Senior government officials who accompanied the President to the airport included Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
According to an earlier statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the visit is designed to consolidate the existing cordial ties between Nigeria and Türkiye, while exploring new areas of cooperation in security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation.
During the visit, President Tinubu is expected to hold strategic political and diplomatic engagements with Turkish leaders, building on the long-standing relationship between both countries. Türkiye’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, last visited Nigeria in October 2021.
The agenda includes high-level bilateral meetings and the signing of memoranda of understanding in areas such as scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military collaboration, and diplomatic protocol.
A Nigeria–Türkiye business forum will also be held to connect investors from both countries, explore mutual investment opportunities, and strengthen trade relations.
Members of the President’s delegation include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); and Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Hon. Jimi Benson.
Other members of the entourage are the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the state visit.