From defence to trade: Why Nigeria turn to Türkiye dey important

Meeting wey happen between Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Bola Tinubu show say Nigeria don turn how e dey handle relationship with Türkiye — the koko na one line: 'Practical and dey look ahead'.

Na so President Tinubu talk to Nigerians when im finish im meeting with im host for Ankara, wey end for signing nine agreements wey touch defence, trade, education, diaspora policy and social development.

For Nigeria, dis na part of im plan to diversify and form alliances wey no just dey with im old partners, as e dey try manage economy wey dey recover and wetin long security wahala. President Tinubu talk say country open for trade wey no get barrier, open to ideas, skills and investment wey go create value and shared prosperity.

But the visit still show how Türkiye dey grow as strategic partner for Africa and as one stabilising force for security matter for the continent, experts tell TRT Afrika.

Nigeria Defence Minister Christopher Musa tell TRT Afrika say the military protocol wey dem sign during the visit go make Türkiye transfer technology for production of military hardware. E talk say some Nigerian companies don begin talk with Turkish defence companies about joint production prospects.

"We be power block for the region. If we start to produce dis things, we fit help our neighbouring countries to get am too. Employment go increase, foreign exchange go enter. So na win-win for both countries, and na wetin we want," the minister talk.

"And the president of Türkiye don always support Nigeria and we dey very grateful to am and the Turkish government, and we go continue to work together," e add.

Naija dey fight terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP wey try hold ground for the northeast. Country still dey face clashes between farmers and herders, plus kidnappings for ransom by armed gangs.

But Nigeria get problem because e no self-reliant for defence manufacturing capabilities and supply chains.

Experts talk say the protocol on military cooperation na the most important thing wey comot from President Tinubu visit.

"Dis visit fit look like normal diplomatic visit, but e get bigger picture wey dey behind am. Türkiye no just dey talk to Nigeria, dem dey offer new and ambitious story to the rest of Africa. Na about building strategic partnership wey dey talk to the continent future," Göktuğ Çalışkan, international relations specialist for ANKASAM, one Turkish think-tank, talk.

Besides, Türkiye experience and successes wey dem get for fight against terrorism fit become good blueprint for Nigeria counter-terrorism operations.

"Türkiye fit cooperate with the Nigerian army and air force by providing operational guidance for things like drones, helicopters, maintenance and repair skills, advanced military training programmes and counter-terrorism expertise. Dis one fit greatly improve Nigeria counter-terrorism capabilities and how dem dey operate for ground," Kenan Toprak, researcher on Nigeria affairs, talk.

For economic side, the two countries set up joint economic committee wey suppose strengthen economic cooperation. The two leaders put target to raise trade volume between Nigeria and Türkiye to $5 billion.

Nigeria turn to Türkiye biggest trading partner for sub-Saharan Africa in 2025 when oil exports enter the account, Turkish trade ministry talk.

"Türkiye get plenty trade opportunities for Nigeria for different sectors like infrastructure and construction, renewable energy and technology, agriculture and food, light industry and consumer goods, defence and security, plus tourism and cultural cooperation," Toprak talk.

E add: "Türkiye experience for big infrastructure projects fit open cooperation wey match Nigeria vision to modernise its physical and economic structure. As trade diversify, Turkish companies go get more chance to invest for Nigeria and employment opportunities go expand for country."

As trade and military ties dey grow, social ties go develop too — dem sign agreements for media and communication, higher education, diplomatic training, and social and women affairs. The aim na to change how people from the two countries dey see each other, experts talk.

"The media agreement dey especially important. For many years, Africa most times show for world news through crisis, coups or disasters. Shared media space between Türkiye and Nigeria na one attempt to break that one-sided story. Joint media trainings, content exchange and TV faces wey fit appear for each other's media fit amplify Nigeria voice and add Türkiye perspective to how Africa dey talked about," Çalışkan tell TRT Afrika.

"Türkiye no go just dey remembered in Africa for the military platforms wey e dey sell. E go dey linked to story wey dem write together with African partners, and Nigeria na one of the main co-authors of that story."