Turkey targets $5bn trade volume with Nigeria – Erdogan
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to achieving a $5 billion trade volume with Nigeria, announcing that discussions toward the target are already underway.
Erdogan spoke on Tuesday in Ankara during a joint press briefing with President Bola Tinubu, held as part of the Nigerian leader’s State Visit to Türkiye.
The SSpecial Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy,.Chief Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a statement he issued on Tuesday.
According to the Turkish president, the newly established Joint Economy and Trade Committee between both countries will play a key role in expanding trade relations and supporting Turkish investments in Nigeria to meet the $5 billion target.
“We see significant potential in the fields of trade and investment,” Erdogan said. “In today’s meetings, our commitment is to the target of $5 billion trade volume, and we discussed the steps that need to be taken. We also discussed opportunities to support our investments in Nigeria.”
Erdogan praised President Tinubu’s determination to attract foreign investment, noting that the presence of several Nigerian ministers and top government officials underscored this commitment. He said bilateral talks covered cooperation in trade, investment, energy, education and the defence industry.
The Turkish leader also commended Nigeria’s recent reforms in the energy sector, expressing optimism that cooperation between the Turkish Petroleum Corporation and Nigerian counterparts would yield positive results.
On security, Erdogan pledged Türkiye’s support to Nigeria in its fight against terrorism, particularly in the Sahel region. He said both leaders discussed closer cooperation in military training and intelligence sharing, adding that Türkiye was ready to share its experience in combating insurgency.
“We stand by the friendly people of Nigeria in their fight against terrorism under the leadership of President Tinubu,” Erdogan stated, expressing confidence that engagements with Turkish defence industry companies during the visit would produce positive outcomes.
In his remarks, President Tinubu thanked Türkiye for its openness to collaboration, stressing the importance of building an inclusive economy that creates opportunities for vulnerable groups.
He praised Erdogan’s willingness to work with Nigeria to promote freedom, stability and shared prosperity globally, while emphasizing the need for unrestricted trade, skills development and economic inclusion.
Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to peace and stability in Africa, despite regional security challenges, noting that discussions focused on defeating terrorism and other agents of destabilisation. He further commended Erdogan’s efforts toward global peace, particularly Türkiye’s role in Somalia.
At the conclusion of the bilateral meeting, both countries exchanged nine agreements covering diaspora policy, defence cooperation, the establishment of a Joint Economy and Trade Committee, halal quality infrastructure, higher education, media and communication, education, diplomatic training, and social services cooperation between Nigeria and Türkiye.
