Turkey, Nigeria Sign Energy, Defense Deals

Turkey and Nigeria have signed multiple bilateral agreements, extending from energy to defense.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari welcomed Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday at an official ceremony at the Presidential Palace in the capital Abuja. Erdogan’s trip marks the first official visit by a Turkish president to Nigeria.

After one-on-one and delegate meetings between the two sides, Erdogan announced the signing of seven deals aimed at helping expand existing bilateral ties.

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Buhari said the two sides signed agreements on defence, energy, mining and hydrocarbon.

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“We are strengthening our cooperation in military defence and security issues with Nigeria, which is fighting terrorist organisations, armed gangs, and piracy,” Erdogan said…

Accompanying Erdogan is a group of top Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez, Trade Minister Mehmet Mus, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun and presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin.

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The president on Sunday started a four-day tour of three African countries, including Angola, Togo, and Nigeria.