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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nigeria and Turkey have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration on diaspora affairs, marking a pivotal step in bilateral relations during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit.
The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on behalf of Nigeria, with representatives from Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The MoU established a framework for sharing knowledge, exchanging best practices and fostering joint programmes on diaspora engagement, according to a statement by Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, hailed the deal as another major milestone under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu.
Speaking during a visit to Turkey’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) in Ankara, she emphasised its historic significance, saying, “This is the first bilateral agreement of its kind for NiDCOM in its six years of existence.”
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The MoU targets key areas like diaspora input in policy-making, investment promotion, educational and cultural exchanges, science and technology collaboration, citizen welfare abroad and economic partnerships. It also promotes mutual visits, meetings and conferences to build institutional ties.
Head of YTB, Abdulhadi Turus, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. “We are grateful for this collaboration and reaffirm Turkey’s commitment to closer ties with Nigeria on diaspora matters,” he said, praising the MoU’s potential to link Turkish and Nigerian communities worldwide.
Turus highlighted that hundreds of Nigerian students have benefitted from Turkey’s scholarships programme since 1992, with thousands currently studying in the country.
The signing begins a new chapter in Nigeria-Turkey relations, harnessing diaspora potential for mutual growth. During related engagements, Dabiri-Erewa met Ankara’s Nigerian community, alongside Nigerian Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Ambassador Zayad Abdulsalam, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, and SSA to the President on International Affairs, Sola Enikanolaye.
The talks addressed passport renewals, post-study visas and ease of doing business. Community members were urged to act as positive ambassadors and channel their skills towards Nigeria’s development.
