General Christopher Musa (rtd), Minister of Defence, on Monday, January 26, departed Abuja with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye, where bilateral engagements will culminate in the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on military cooperation, protocol, and other areas with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The MoUs will cover key sectors including scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military cooperation, and protocol, among others.
The visit is aimed at strengthening the longstanding cordial relations between Nigeria and Türkiye, while exploring new areas of collaboration in security, education, social development, innovation, aviation, trade, and investment.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the visit will also feature strategic political and diplomatic engagements between both leaders, focusing on shared values and mutual interests in finance, communication, and economic development.
President Tinubu’s visit comes against the backdrop of President Erdoğan’s official visit to Nigeria from October 19 to 20, 2021, which further deepened bilateral relations between the two countries.
During the visit, high-level meetings will be held between senior government officials of both nations, culminating in the signing of the MoUs. A Nigeria–Türkiye business forum will also be convened, bringing together investors from both countries to explore opportunities for expanded economic cooperation.
Members of President Tinubu’s entourage participating in the bilateral discussions include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); and Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Jimi Benson.
Other officials are the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu is expected to return to the country at the conclusion of the visit.
