President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned to Nigeria on Friday evening after completing a state visit to Türkiye aimed at deepening bilateral relations between both countries. The President’s Airbus A330 touched down at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 8:55 p.m., following his departure from Istanbul.
President Tinubu arrived in Ankara on January 26, where he was received at the Esenboğa Airport by a Turkish delegation led by the Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin. The visit formed part of Nigeria’s broader diplomatic and economic outreach to strengthen partnerships with key global players.
On January 27, the Nigerian leader held high-level talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. Both leaders presided over the signing of nine landmark bilateral agreements covering defence cooperation, energy, security, scientific research, and other strategic sectors. The agreements are expected to boost trade, attract investment, and deepen innovation-driven collaboration between Nigeria and Türkiye.
The visit also drew public attention after President Tinubu briefly stumbled during a ceremonial reception parade while walking alongside President Erdoğan. He was promptly assisted and continued all scheduled engagements, with officials later confirming that he remained in good health throughout the trip.
The President was accompanied by senior government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.); and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to officials, the visit marks a significant step toward enhanced economic and security cooperation between Nigeria and Türkiye, with a joint trade and implementation committee expected to convene later this year to operationalise the agreements reached.
