• The author is the publisher of Muslim News Nigeria

ISTANBUL

On Jan. 26, 2026, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Ankara, Türkiye, for a two-day state visit at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The visit highlights the growing partnership between one of Africa’s leading economies and Türkiye and comes as Nigeria seeks stronger international collaboration to address security challenges and promote economic growth.

Nigeria and Türkiye have maintained diplomatic relations since 1962, when Türkiye opened its embassy in Lagos shortly after formal ties were established. The embassy was relocated to Abuja in 2001 following Nigeria’s capital move. Over the decades, high-level visits and bilateral engagements have strengthened relations. Nigerian presidents who have visited Türkiye include Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and former President Muhammadu Buhari, while President Erdogan has made official visits to Nigeria in 2016 and 2021, demonstrating Türkiye’s ongoing commitment to Nigeria’s stability and development.

During Erdogan’s 2021 visit to Abuja, multiple cooperation agreements were signed covering defense, energy, and economic sectors, alongside strong support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. The cordial rapport between the Turkish president and successive Nigerian leaders, with Erdogan publicly referring to both former President Buhari and President Tinubu as "brothers," reflects a shared sense of respect and solidarity.

Internal security and misconceptions

Nigeria continues to face significant security challenges, including terrorism and insurgency, which have drawn international attention, particularly from the US and other Western countries. While insecurity affects citizens across religious and regional lines, international discussions have often focused on alleged genocide against Christian communities, with less attention given to Nigeria’s Muslim population, estimated at over 120 million, who are also victims of national insecurity. At this critical point, a balanced understanding of Nigeria’s security situation is essential for effective engagement.

Erdogan has been widely recognized for his advocacy on behalf of vulnerable Muslim communities, earning the title of Global Muslim Personality of the Year for three consecutive years, an honor organized by Muslim News Nigeria. He consistently stresses that terrorism has neither religion nor ethnicity, a principle shaped by Türkiye’s own experiences and one that resonates strongly with Nigeria’s reality.

Within Nigeria, Muslim communities continue to face significant challenges, including insurgency in the north, harassment of students wearing hijab in schools in the southwest, and violent masquerades disrupting mosques or restricting movement during traditional Oro festivals. These developments highlight the urgent need for sustained dialogue, protection of religious freedoms, and inclusive governance.

As Nigeria confronts evolving threats from groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, including the reported use of drones against military targets, cooperation with Türkiye in defense technology is increasingly relevant. Turkish defense firms offer anti-drone systems, while platforms like the Bayraktar KIZILELMA provide advanced unmanned combat capabilities that enhance surveillance, intelligence gathering, and operational efficiency while reducing risks to personnel. Collaboration in training, maintenance, and technical support can further strengthen Nigeria’s long-term defense capacity.

Future outlook and mutual benefits

Türkiye’s extensive counterterrorism experience, including operations against groups such as ISIS, PKK, YPG, PYD, and FETO, offers valuable lessons in dismantling terrorist networks through coordinated military, intelligence, and institutional strategies. These experiences can inform Nigeria’s approach to insurgency, helping to restore security and stability across affected regions.

Looking ahead, President Tinubu’s visit is expected to strengthen collaboration on multiple fronts, including security, defense technology, trade, and investment. For Nigeria, the engagement offers access to Türkiye’s expertise in counterterrorism, modern military systems, and strategic planning, supporting its efforts to address insurgency and enhance national security.

For Türkiye, the visit reinforces its role as a key partner in Africa, deepening economic ties and fostering political and cultural cooperation. The visit will also serve as an opportunity for both nations to build a partnership rooted in mutual benefit, shared security interests, and long-term regional stability.

*Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu.