The Democratic Front (TDF) is confident that the colourful state reception accorded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the government and people of Türkiye is a signal to the opening of doorways of trade opportunities that will improve the trade balance between the two countries.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group noted that the balance of trade currently stands in favour of Turkiye, at a volume of $2 billion.
It said: “We have always been disturbed that the trade balance between both countries has not favoured Nigeria, despite the country’s advantages in economic potential and natural endowments.
“However, we are hopeful that President Bola Tinubu’s business approach to statecraft will foster trade partnerships between Nigeria and Turkiye, which will boost Nigeria’s exports to the EuroAsian country.
“In our opinion, the President’s visit to Türkiye has opened a new vista in the flurry of global recognition and prestige, which his ongoing economic reforms have attracted to Nigeria.
“We envisage that the country will leverage this unique opportunity to take economic advantage of the new target of bilateral trade volume of $5 billion.”
The group also described the agreement sealed between the two countries on security cooperation as a welcome development.
“It is also glad to note that by signing a security pact with his Turkish counterpart during the visit, President Tinubu has made good the promise he made in the wake of the Nigeria-U S security cooperation against insurgency in December 2025, that his administration will continue to seek defence and security cooperation to eliminate terrorists and bandits in the country.
“We are convinced that the commitment by both leaders to deploy resources against terrorism in Nigeria and the Sahel Region will further reinforce ongoing security efforts in the country and also advance the defence capability of the Nigerian government to tackle insurgency.
“We recall that Türkiye’s military and trade partnership with Nigeria dates back to the years of the Ottoman Empire. And we believe that its involvement in Nigeria’s current war against insurgency will bring more successes to President Tinubu’s counter-terrorism efforts, and also consolidate National Security,” it argued.
TDF added that the security partnership between Nigeria and Türkiye will put immense pressure on terrorists and bandits currently operating in the country, and go a long way to correct the negative religious labelling of insecurity in Nigeria by the US President Donald Trump.
