Grand Reception for Tinubu Signals Deepening Trade, Security Ties with Türkiye — TDF

Grand Reception for Tinubu Signals Deepening Trade, Security Ties with Türkiye — TDF

The Democratic Front (TDF) has described the colourful state reception accorded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the government and people of Türkiye as a strong signal of expanding trade opportunities and deepening diplomatic relations between both countries.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group said the visit presents a strategic opportunity to rebalance trade relations, which currently favour Türkiye at an estimated volume of $2 billion.

TDF noted that it has long been concerned about Nigeria’s unfavourable trade balance with Türkiye, despite the country’s vast economic potential and natural endowments.

“We have always been disturbed that the trade balance between both countries has not favoured Nigeria, despite the country’s advantages in economic potential and natural endowments,” the group said.

The group expressed optimism that President Tinubu’s business-driven approach to diplomacy would foster mutually beneficial trade partnerships and boost Nigeria’s exports to the Euro-Asian nation.

According to TDF, the President’s visit has opened a new chapter of global recognition and prestige for Nigeria, driven by the administration’s ongoing economic reforms.

“We envisage that Nigeria will leverage this unique opportunity to take economic advantage of the new target of a $5 billion bilateral trade volume,” the statement added.

TDF also welcomed the security cooperation agreement signed between Nigeria and Türkiye during the visit, describing it as a timely and strategic development.

The group said the pact aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment—reaffirmed after the Nigeria–US security cooperation talks in December 2025—to continuously seek international defence partnerships aimed at eliminating terrorism and banditry.

“We are convinced that the commitment by both leaders to deploy resources against terrorism in Nigeria and the Sahel region will further reinforce ongoing security efforts and strengthen Nigeria’s defence capacity,” TDF stated.

Recalling that military and trade relations between Nigeria and Türkiye date back to the era of the Ottoman Empire, the group expressed confidence that Türkiye’s involvement in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts would yield significant gains.

TDF further argued that the renewed security partnership would exert increased pressure on terrorists and bandits, while also helping to counter negative religious profiling of Nigeria’s security challenges on the global stage.

According to the group, the collaboration represents a major boost to national security and a consolidation of President Tinubu’s counter-terrorism agenda.