Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye have reinforced their bilateral ties with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing collaboration on diaspora matters.
The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Turkish government.
The MoU was formalised during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Türkiye, highlighting the expanding strategic relationship between the two nations.
The accord was announced at Türkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), the Turkish counterpart of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, described the MoU as a landmark achievement under the President’s Renewed Hope agenda, noting it is the first bilateral agreement NiDCOM has signed since its establishment six years ago.
“The MoU provides a structured platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices in diaspora engagement,” Dabiri-Erewa said. “It also encourages joint programmes, official visits, conferences, and other initiatives to strengthen institutional collaboration.”
The agreement identifies key areas for cooperation, including diaspora involvement in policy-making, investment promotion, education, culture, sports, science, and technology. It also addresses citizen welfare abroad and supports cultural and educational exchanges.
Abdulhadi Turus, head of Türkiye’s YTB, welcomed the partnership, reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to working closely with Nigeria on diaspora issues. He highlighted the long-standing educational links, with hundreds of Nigerian students benefiting from the Türkiye Scholarships Programme since 1992.
During the visit, Dr. Dabiri-Erewa engaged with members of the Nigerian community in Ankara alongside officials including Ambassador Zayad Abdulsalam, Mr. John Owan Enoh, and Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye. Discussions focused on passport renewals, post-study visas, and facilitating business operations.
