Nigeria Seeks Broader Ties with Türkiye on Energy, Mining, Youth Development

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has expressed desire to deepen ties with the Republic of Turkiye on the three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and the four agreements covering energy, hydrocarbons, youth empowerment and establishment of mechanism for political consultations among others.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume echoed this desire yesterday in Abuja while receiving in audience the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria  Hidayet Bayraktar in company of his Deputy, Mr. Burak Hamarat in his office.

He indicated commitment of the federal government to strengthen its bilateral ties with Türkiye on key infrastructure for mutual economic development.

The SGF said that both Nigeria and Türkiye shared a rich history of mutual cooperation on mutually beneficial areas as being exemplified by their membership in multilateral bodies.

“Nigeria and Türkiye share identical views on topical global issues and governance systems, particularly, the need for greater inclusiveness to accommodate all interests across the various regions of the world. Both countries are committed to addressing the challenges to development through multi-lateralism as exemplified by their efforts at the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), World Trade Organization (WTO), amongst others. Türkiye supported Nigeria’s candidate and current Director General of World Trade Organization (WTO),” Akume said.

In the area of economic relations, the SGF stated that despite the fact that Nigeria and Turkiye had been enjoying a mutually beneficial relations there was need to strengthen the legal framework on which the two countries signed in 2011.

He acknowledged the agreements Nigeria has with Turkiye on Defence and Security which has enabled Nigeria to train its personnel and purchase military helicopters  for the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against insurgency.