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Türkiye sees Nigeria as a strategic partner due to shared security challenges, economic potential, and regional influence, the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, has said.
Poroy told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday that both countries face similar threats from terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, making counterterrorism cooperation a priority.
“What makes Nigeria very special, from our perspective, is that our countries face similar challenges,” Poroy said.
“We have fought various terrorist organisations for years and gained significant experience and success. Nigeria is also fighting several terrorist organisations, primarily Boko Haram and ISWAP. Therefore, we want to support Nigeria in this area by sharing our experience, capabilities, and resources.”
The ambassador noted that Türkiye has developed a robust defence industry that has helped its armed forces counter security threats effectively.
Poroy said similar collaboration could be expanded in Nigeria, including joint local production of military equipment.
“We are working with our Nigerian counterparts to deepen military cooperation in this regard, as our president has expressed that we stand by Nigeria in its fight against terrorism,” he said
“In addition to providing military equipment and critical systems, our companies also work with Nigerian authorities for joint local production of equipment in Nigeria.”
Nigeria’s position as the largest economy in West Africa and the fourth largest in Africa, which no country can take for granted, is another reason why Poroy said Turkey was drawn to the country.
“As the biggest country in the continent, Türkiye sees Nigeria as an important strategic partner. Today, we continue to view Nigeria as an important, strategic partner,” he said.
The ambassador recalled the two nations’ longstanding relationship, which dates back to the Ottoman Empire’s contacts with the Kanem-Bornu Empire.
He also mentioned that on November 9, 1960, the day after Nigeria gained its independence, Turkey established its embassy there.
The two countries’ commitments to economic and security cooperation have been reaffirmed by recent high-level meetings, including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Turkey.
