Türkiye Seeks Stronger Ties with Nigeria, Offers Counterterrorism Support

Abuja — The Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, has revealed that Türkiye has a “special interest” in Nigeria due to shared security challenges, particularly in the fight against terrorism. In an interview in Abuja, Mr. Poroy said both countries are focused on developing effective strategies to combat terrorist threats.

He noted that Türkiye has extensive experience in tackling various terrorist organisations over the years and is willing to share its expertise, resources, and capabilities with Nigeria. “What makes Nigeria very special, from our perspective, is that our countries face similar challenges,” he said. “We have fought various terrorist organisations for years and gained significant experience and success. Nigeria is also fighting several terrorist groups, primarily Boko Haram and ISWAP. Therefore, we want to support Nigeria in this area.”

The ambassador highlighted that Nigeria’s success against terrorism would be critical for the stability of West Africa and the African continent at large. He added that Türkiye’s developed defence industry played a key role in eliminating security threats at home and could serve as a model for joint initiatives with Nigeria.

“We are working with our Nigerian counterparts to deepen military cooperation. In addition to providing military equipment and critical systems, our companies are collaborating with Nigerian authorities for local production of equipment,” Mr. Poroy said.

Beyond security, the ambassador described Nigeria as a strategic partner due to its status as West Africa’s largest economy and Africa’s fourth-largest. With a population exceeding 230 million and significant economic potential, Türkiye sees Nigeria as vital for expanding bilateral trade and cooperation.

Reflecting on the historical ties between the two nations, Mr. Poroy noted that Türkiye’s relationship with Nigeria dates back to the 16th century, during contacts between the Ottoman Empire and the Kanem-Bornu Empire. “Our opening of an embassy here on November 9, 1960, immediately after Nigeria gained independence, underscores the importance we have attached to our relations with Nigeria,” he said.