Tuggar Holds Strategic Talks with Turkish Counterpart in Ankara

By: Michael Mike

Ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s State visit to Türkiye, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, on Monday paid an official visit to Ankara where he held high-level talks with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting, Tuggar’s first official visit to Türkiye, focused on strengthening political, economic, security, and multilateral cooperation. Minister Fidan commended Nigeria’s constructive role in promoting regional stability, peace, and prosperity in West Africa, noting Nigeria’s leadership within regional and continental frameworks.

Tuggar placed strong emphasis on expanding bilateral trade and increasing mutual investment, particularly in sectors of interest to Turkish companies, including construction, manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure. Both ministers acknowledged the steady growth in economic relations and underlined the need to unlock further potential through structured public–private engagement.

On security cooperation, the two sides highlighted opportunities to deepen collaboration in military affairs and the defence industry.

The visit reflects the growing strategic character of Nigeria–Türkiye relations, anchored in shared positions on sovereignty, institutional cooperation, and pragmatic partnership, with both sides expressing confidence in the prospects for deeper engagement in the period ahead.

Alkasim Abdulkadir

SA Media and Communications to the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Tuggar Meets Turkish Foreign Minister in Ankara Ahead of Tinubu’s State Visit

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has held strategic discussions with Türkiye’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, in Ankara as part of preparations for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s forthcoming state visit to the country.

The meeting, which marked Tuggar’s first official visit to Türkiye, focused on strengthening bilateral ties between both nations across political, economic, security and multilateral fronts. The talks underscored the growing importance of Nigeria–Türkiye relations and the shared commitment of both governments to expanding cooperation.

During the engagement, Fidan commended Nigeria’s leadership role in West Africa, particularly its efforts in promoting peace, stability and regional prosperity. He acknowledged Nigeria’s influence within regional and continental institutions and its constructive contributions to addressing common security and development challenges.

Tuggar, in his part, emphasized Nigeria’s interest in deepening economic collaboration with Türkiye, calling for increased trade volumes and stronger investment flows. He identified construction, manufacturing, energy and infrastructure as key sectors offering significant opportunities for Turkish investors. Both ministers noted the steady improvement in economic relations and stressed the need for enhanced public–private sector engagement to unlock further growth.

Security cooperation also featured prominently in the discussions, with both sides expressing readiness to strengthen collaboration in military relations and defence industry partnerships.

The high-level talks highlight the increasingly strategic nature of Nigeria–Türkiye relations, built on mutual respect for sovereignty, institutional cooperation and practical partnership. Both countries expressed optimism about expanding engagement and delivering tangible outcomes in the period ahead.

Tuggar Holds Strategic Talks with Turkish Counterpart in Ankara