President Bola Tinubu on Monday night arrived in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Eurasian nation.
The President’s aircraft, Nigeria Air Force One, touched down at Ankara Esenboğa Airport at 9:05 p.m. local time, marking the commencement of official engagements scheduled for the visit.
Tinubu was received on arrival by a Turkish government delegation led by the Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin, alongside other senior officials.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, the President departed Abuja from the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 2:05 p.m. for the state visit.
Top government officials who saw him off included Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
According to an earlier statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the visit will focus on consolidating existing cordial ties between Nigeria and Türkiye, while exploring new areas of cooperation in security, education, social development, innovation and aviation.
During the visit, President Tinubu is scheduled to hold strategic political and diplomatic engagements with Turkish leaders, building on the long-standing relationship between both countries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last paid an official visit to Nigeria in October 2021.
The agenda includes high-level meetings between officials of both nations and the signing of memoranda of understanding in areas such as scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military collaboration and diplomatic protocol.
A Nigeria–Türkiye business forum will also be convened to bring together investors from both countries to explore mutual investment opportunities and deepen trade relations.
Members of the President’s delegation include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (rtd); and Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Jimi Benson.
Other members of the entourage 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; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the official visit.
By Deji Elumoye
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