By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja/Ankara, Feb. 2, 2026 — Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye have taken a major step to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen diaspora engagement with the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on diaspora cooperation.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, while Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs executed the MoU during the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Türkiye.
According to Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the MoU represents a historic milestone in Nigeria’s diaspora diplomacy, highlighting the growing strategic partnership between both nations.
During a visit to Türkiye’s counterpart agency, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) in Ankara, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the agreement as another major achievement under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. She noted that this is the first bilateral MoU of its kind signed by NiDCOM since its establishment six years ago.
The MoU establishes a structured framework for cooperation through knowledge sharing, exchange of experiences, and adoption of best practices in diaspora engagement. It also promotes mutual visits, joint programmes, meetings, and conferences aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration between Nigeria and Türkiye.
Key priority areas for cooperation include:
Diaspora participation in policy formulation and implementation
Promotion of diaspora investment and economic partnerships
Advancement of education, sports, and cultural development
Collaboration in science and technology
Provision of protection and welfare services for citizens abroad
Hon. Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that the agreement provides a platform for sustainable engagement of diaspora communities, fostering investment, knowledge exchange, and people-to-people ties.
On his part, Abdulhadi Turus, Head of Türkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, lauded the partnership and reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to closer collaboration with Nigeria on diaspora issues.
He noted that the MoU would significantly strengthen ties between Turkish and Nigerian diaspora communities worldwide. Turus also disclosed that hundreds of Nigerian students have benefited from the Türkiye Scholarships Programme since 1992, with thousands currently studying in the country.
The MoU is widely regarded as opening a new chapter in Nigeria–Türkiye relations, reflecting the shared determination of both nations to harness the potential of their diaspora populations for mutual development and prosperity.
As part of her official engagements in Türkiye, Hon. Dabiri-Erewa also met with members of the Nigerian community in Ankara, alongside the Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy, Ambassador Zayad Abdulsalam, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hon. John Owan Enoh, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on International Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye.
