The Turkish government has identified 76 wooden and metal artefacts believed to belong to Nigeria, the Turkish ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, announced on Thursday.
Poroy made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to Hannatu Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, in Abuja. “Our minister of culture and tourism has identified 76 wooden and metal objects that they think might belong to Nigeria. We received information about these artefacts last May, and we are eager to see them returned to Nigeria,” he said.
The ambassador added that discussions for the artefacts’ return will commence once the Nigerian government officially confirms ownership.
The announcement comes ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled state visit to Turkey next week. In preparation, Tinubu appointed Dakingari Suleiman, former governor of Kebbi, as ambassador-designate to Turkey. Poroy expressed optimism about the visit, saying, “We hope to sign a cultural cooperation agreement during the upcoming visit of Nigeria’s president to Turkey. We are committed to promoting cultural understanding and cooperation between our nations.”
In addition, the ambassador discussed plans to establish a Turkish cultural centre in Nigeria aimed at promoting traditional arts and educating young Nigerian women.
Minister Musawa welcomed the initiative and emphasised the importance of finalising the cultural cooperation agreement. She highlighted Nigeria’s interest in collaborating with Turkey on film projects, cultural exchanges, and empowering women in fashion. “This is a golden opportunity for both countries to strengthen cultural diplomacy. Nigeria is the gateway to engaging with the global Black community, purely because of our numbers and strength of expression,” she said.
The minister urged swift action to complete the agreement, noting its potential to foster both cultural understanding and economic growth between the two countries.
Melissa Enoch
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