Nigeria, Türkiye Move to Deepen Ties After Tinubu’s Ankara Visit

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and Türkiye have pledged to deepen bilateral relations across trade, investment, defence, education and other strategic sectors following the signing of nine agreements and memoranda of understanding during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Ankara in January 2026.

The Federal Government reaffirmed the commitment in a statement congratulating the Turkish government and people on the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, celebrated on October 29.

Nigeria said the agreements signed during Tinubu’s visit had strengthened the foundation for expanded cooperation between the two countries in areas including trade and investment, education, diaspora policy, military cooperation, media and communication, and diplomatic training.

The government also identified manufacturing, construction, textiles and solid minerals as sectors offering opportunities for stronger economic partnerships between both countries.

It said Nigeria remained committed to sustaining high-level engagements and using institutional mechanisms, including the Joint Economic and Trade Commission, to consolidate existing partnerships, explore new areas of cooperation and promote mutually beneficial economic opportunities.

The Federal Government also welcomed progress in defence cooperation, particularly in local capacity building, technology transfer and institutional collaboration between the armed forces of both countries.

According to the government, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening defence capabilities and addressing common security challenges.

Nigeria further noted that both countries continued to cooperate at the multilateral level on international peace and security, sustainable development and other global challenges.

The congratulatory message coincided with a Republic Day reception in Nigeria, where the Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Poroy reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening relations with Nigeria and other African countries.

The diplomat recalled that Türkiye established its consulate general in Lagos in April 1959, before the two countries elevated their relations to ambassadorial level on November 9, 1960, barely a month after Nigeria gained independence.

“Since then, we have developed our relations in every field based on the principles of mutual respect, friendship and win-win cooperation,” he said.

He said Türkiye’s foreign relations were guided by the principle of peace at home and peace in the world, associated with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.

The diplomat also recalled Türkiye’s strategic partnership with the African Union, established in 2008, as part of its engagement with the continent.

In a video message played at the reception, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed pride in the country’s 103-year republican history and congratulated Turkish citizens at home and abroad on the anniversary.

Erdoğan highlighted developments in Türkiye over the past 24 years in areas including defence, energy, transportation and diplomacy, describing the courage and determination demonstrated during the country’s struggle for independence as a continuing source of national motivation.

The Ambassador also announced an exhibition of paintings by his wife, Ayşegül Poroy, an associate professor of fine arts.

The exhibition is scheduled to hold at the Alçöyün Gallery of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs from November 3 to 20, with the opening ceremony slated for November 3 at 5 p.m.

Nigeria, in its congratulatory message, wished the government and people of Türkiye continued peace, stability, progress and prosperity, while expressing its readiness to strengthen cooperation in pursuit of shared objectives and mutual prosperity.

Nigeria, Türkiye Move to Deepen Ties After Tinubu’s Ankara Visit

Zulum Calls for Shift from Relief to Recovery as IOM Marks 25 Years in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for greater investment in housing, livelihoods and infrastructure to help people displaced by conflict in Northeast Nigeria rebuild their lives.

Zulum made the call on Wednesday at the 25th anniversary celebration of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria at the Abuja Continental Hotel where he joined other dignitaries to unveil the organisation’s roadmap for the next 25 years.

The governor commended IOM for providing life-saving assistance and improving conditions for displaced families in Borno and other parts of the Northeast. He recalled how insurgency forced thousands of families to abandon their homes, farmlands and communities for internally displaced persons’ camps.

He said the crisis also affected neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger, making cooperation among governments and international partners essential to an effective response.

Zulum stressed that emergency assistance must be followed by sustained support to address the challenges keeping families in displacement and help them become self-reliant.

He urged partners to invest in permanent and semi-permanent shelters, create livelihood opportunities and support infrastructure development and environmental restoration. These efforts, he said, would help affected communities recover and enable displaced people to live with dignity and independence.

The governor reaffirmed Borno State Government’s readiness to work with IOM and other development partners to support recovery, improve livelihoods and promote stability across conflict-affected communities in the northeast.

The anniversary brought together government officials, diplomats, development partners and other stakeholders to review IOM’s work in Nigeria and discuss future cooperation on migration management, humanitarian assistance, recovery and development.

Zulum Calls for Shift from Relief to Recovery as IOM Marks 25 Years in Nigeria

Marwa Pledges Quality Education for NDLEA Officers’ Children

By: Michael Mike

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), has pledged sustained investment in the education of officers’ children and improved welfare for personnel and their families.

Marwa gave the assurance on Friday during a visit to the newly established NDLEA Command School at the agency’s barracks in Yola, Adamawa State.

He said the school was established to provide children of NDLEA personnel with access to quality education within their immediate community, promising continued support to ensure it becomes one of the leading schools in the country.

Addressing the pupils, Marwa urged them to embrace discipline, punctuality and academic excellence, advising them to take their studies seriously, read diligently, prepare adequately for examinations and obey their parents and teachers.

He also charged them to shun illicit drugs, stressing the importance of making responsible choices for their future.

The NDLEA chairman also met with members of the agency’s Officers’ Wives Association and other residents of the barracks, who commended the establishment of the school as an investment in their children’s future.

Marwa disclosed that plans were at an advanced stage to inaugurate the NDLEA Officers’ Wives Association to provide a formal platform for officers’ wives to organise and collaborate on initiatives to improve the welfare of personnel and their families.

He was accompanied on the visit by the Zone 2 Commander, ACGN Ishaku Yusuf Kwajafa, and other senior officers of the agency.

Marwa Pledges Quality Education for NDLEA Officers’ Children