Nigeria has intensified efforts to translate its bilateral agreements with Turkey into tangible outcomes, with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, emphasizing the need for full implementation of existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
The minister made this known on Thursday while receiving the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, during a courtesy visit in Abuja.
She disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to develop clear roadmaps for operationalising agreements signed during his official visit to Ankara in January 2026.
“These MoUs are only meaningful when implemented. What matters is their impact on the lives of our people,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated, stressing the administration’s focus on delivering measurable results from diplomatic engagements.
The agreements span key sectors including education, defence, media, agriculture, and social services, as well as the establishment of a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) to drive structured economic collaboration.
She noted that Nigeria and Turkey share common positions on critical global issues such as counterterrorism, climate change, migration, and international security, reinforcing their strategic partnership.
On economic ties, the minister revealed that bilateral trade between both countries is approaching $2 billion, with projections to reach $5 billion through strengthened cooperation and private sector engagement.
She highlighted the January 2026 trade forum in Ankara as a turning point, describing it as a practical step toward advancing the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda by converting diplomatic goals into actionable economic outcomes.
Central to this effort is JETCO, designed to address trade barriers, enhance private sector participation, and unlock opportunities in key sectors such as energy and agriculture. The initiative also aims to leverage Turkish technical expertise and Halal quality standards to expand Nigeria’s export potential into European and Middle Eastern markets.
In his remarks, Ambassador Poroy reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to deepening defence and economic cooperation with Nigeria, stressing the importance of sustained counterterrorism dialogue and strategic engagement.
He expressed optimism that the Joint Economic and Trade Committee would play a pivotal role in achieving the $5 billion trade target, urging both countries to fully leverage the platform to strengthen bilateral relations
