By BONIFACE AKARAH

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Monday for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye, aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations and expanding cooperation between both countries across key sectors.

According to a statement issued by the Presidency and signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the visit builds on existing cordial ties between Nigeria and Türkiye, recalling that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid an official visit to Nigeria in October 2021.

The visit will focus on deepening collaboration in areas including security, education, social development, innovation, aviation, trade, and investment.

During the visit, President Tinubu and Turkish officials are expected to hold strategic political and diplomatic engagements centred on shared interests in finance, communication, and economic development. The programme will also feature meetings between senior government officials of both countries.

The Presidency disclosed that several memoranda of understanding will be signed in areas such as scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military collaboration, and protocol.

A Nigeria–Türkiye business forum will also be held to bring together investors from both countries to explore investment opportunities and strengthen private sector participation in bilateral relations.

Members of the President’s entourage participating in the discussions include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (rtd); and Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Jimi Benson.

Others are the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.

President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the visit.

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