Turkiye Ready To Increase Bilateral Trade With Nigeria, Says Envoy

The Ambassador of Turkiye to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, has said his country is ready to enhance bilateral trade and relations with Nigeria.

Speaking during a visit to the corporate headquarters of the LEADERSHIP Group yesterday in Abuja, Poroy said Turkiye’s largest investments in Nigeria included a $200 million factory in Ogun State that manufactures hygiene products, chemical products, tissue paper and baby diapers.

He also listed other investments, including a $50 million biscuit manufacturing company in Ogun State and about $30 million in agriculture, made in partnership with various states and companies across Nigeria.

Poroy said, “We have a presence in Niger and Jigawa states, Abuja and other areas. We are active in the poultry and greenhouse sectors, and we aim to increase bilateral trade, which currently stands at around $1 billion; including oil, it will be approximately $2 billion. Our leaders agreed to raise this to $5 billion during their last meeting in Ankara in January.”

He expressed optimism that the proposed Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETC) would help remove trade barriers between Nigeria and Turkiye.

Poroy recalled that Nigeria and Turkiye had signed a military cooperation agreement, noting that Turkiye would support the production of military equipment in Nigeria.

According to him, about 8,000 Nigerian students are currently studying in Turkiye, many of whom are benefiting from the country’s scholarship programmes.

He added that Nigerian businessmen would now have easier access to visas to promote trade, noting that a new visa office would be established in Kano to complement existing visa centres in Abuja and Lagos and boost people-to-people contacts.

The Turkish envoy, however, called on the Nigerian government to address challenges faced by Turkish businessmen in Nigeria, such as the high cost of business permits, and urged authorities to reduce the permit renewal fees.

Welcoming the delegation, the Chairman of LEADERSHIP Group, Zainab Nda-Isaiah, said Turkiye exerted significant influence in Nigeria across key sectors, noting that “Turkish products are highly regarded by Nigerians for their quality.”

She said this had helped strengthen bilateral relations at the people-to-people level.

The LEADERSHIP chairman, who expressed delight at the visit, described the relationship as important to both countries, noting that it could open the door to more opportunities for mutual benefit.

“There is significant Turkish influence in Nigeria, especially in Abuja and across various sectors. The relationship between Turkiye and Nigeria is strengthening, not only when leaders meet but also at the grassroots level. Many people are now travelling to Turkiye, as the country is a popular destination for trade and holidays.

“Turkiye is a force to reckon with,” she emphasised, adding that the visit to LEADERSHIP would be “the start of a very good relationship between the media giant and the Turkish mission in Abuja.”