The Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, says Türkiye has a special interest in Nigeria because both countries face similar existential threats from terrorism.
He said the shared security challenges create room for closer collaboration on counterterrorism strategies.
Poroy made the remarks during an interview in Abuja.
He noted that Türkiye’s long standing battle against terrorist organisations has equipped it with experience and capabilities it is willing to share with Nigeria.
He said what makes Nigeria special from Türkiye’s perspective is that both countries face similar challenges.
He stated that Türkiye has fought various terrorist organisations for years and gained significant experience and success.
He said Nigeria is also fighting several terrorist groups, primarily Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
He added that Türkiye wants to support Nigeria by sharing its experience, capabilities, and resources.
The ambassador stressed that Nigeria’s success in combating terrorism is critical to the stability of West Africa and the wider continent.
He disclosed that Türkiye has significantly developed its defence industry to counter threats within and around its borders.
He said this has enabled Turkish armed forces to neutralise terrorist threats more effectively.
According to him, similar cooperation can be replicated in Nigeria through closer defence industry collaboration.
Poroy said Türkiye is working with Nigerian counterparts to deepen military cooperation.
He said the Turkish president has expressed that Türkiye stands by Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.
He added that beyond supplying military equipment and critical systems, Turkish companies are engaging Nigerian authorities on joint local production of defence equipment within Nigeria.
Poroy described Nigeria as strategically important to Türkiye due to its population of over 230 million people.
He also cited Nigeria’s status as West Africa’s largest economy and Africa’s fourth largest economy.
He said Türkiye sees Nigeria as an important strategic partner on the continent.
The envoy recalled that relations between the two countries date back to contacts between the Ottoman Empire and the Kanem Bornu Empire in the 16th century.
He added that Türkiye opened its embassy in Nigeria on November 9, 1960, shortly after Nigeria’s independence.
He said renewed diplomatic focus follows recent high level engagements, including a visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Türkiye.
He said the visit reinforced commitments to enhanced security and economic cooperation between the two nations.
