President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of the Republic 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.
President Erdoğan made the declaration on Tuesday in Ankara during a joint press briefing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, held as part of the Nigerian leader’s State Visit to Türkiye.
According to the Turkish President, both countries have agreed to establish a Joint Economy and Trade Committee, a move he said would unlock new opportunities for trade expansion and provide stronger support for Turkish investments in Nigeria in pursuit of the $5 billion target.
Erdoğan praised President Tinubu’s commitment to economic reform and investment attraction, describing the large Nigerian delegation—comprising several ministers and senior government officials—as clear evidence of the administration’s determination.
“Today, we conducted a comprehensive review of our relations with the esteemed president and his delegation in the fields of trade, investments, energy, education and defence industry,” Erdoğan said.
“Firstly, we see that we have significant potential in the fields of trade and investment. 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. We believe that the Joint Economy and Trade Committee, which we agreed to establish today, will be instrumental in this regard,” he added.
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The Turkish leader also commended Nigeria’s recent reforms in the energy sector, noting that they have contributed to the restructuring of the country’s economy.
He expressed optimism that cooperation between the Turkish Petroleum Corporation and Nigerian partners, alongside other relevant institutions, would deliver tangible results.
On security, President Erdoğan pledged Türkiye’s support to Nigeria in its fight against terrorism, particularly within the Sahel region, citing his country’s experience in counterinsurgency operations.
“Terrorist organizations emerging, particularly in Africa’s Sahel region, unfortunately pose a threat to the peace of the entire continent,” he said. “We stand by the friendly people of Nigeria in their fight against terrorism under the leadership of President Tinubu.
“Today, we addressed opportunities for closer cooperation in the fields of military training and intelligence. We stated that we are ready to share our country’s significant experience in the fight against terrorism,” Erdoğan noted, adding that meetings between Nigerian officials and leading Turkish defence companies were expected to yield positive outcomes.
In his remarks, President Tinubu expressed appreciation to Türkiye for its openness and readiness to collaborate with Nigeria in promoting global freedom, stability and prosperity.
He stressed the importance of building an inclusive economy that prioritises vulnerable populations and creates opportunities for learning, work and shared growth.
“I commend President Erdoğan for being willing to collaborate, willing to help, and willing to work together to promote freedom, stability and shared prosperity across the world,” Tinubu said.
“What is very important to the countries being discussed—trade, business, no restrictions, giving opportunity to those who are ready to learn, to work and to prosper. How do we build an inclusive economy together? How do we reform and get vulnerable people involved in the economy? How do we ensure peace in the world?” he asked.
President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to peace and stability on the African continent, despite ongoing security challenges in the region.
“We discussed efforts against terrorism. We discussed how to defeat agents of destabilisation,” he said.
He also praised President Erdoğan for his role in promoting global peace, particularly highlighting Türkiye’s efforts in Somalia.