The Democratic Front (TDF) has expressed confidence that the colourful state reception accorded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the government and people of Türkiye signals the opening of new trade opportunities that could improve the balance of trade between Nigeria and the EuroAsian country.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group noted that the current trade balance between Nigeria and Türkiye stands at about $2 billion in favour of Türkiye.
TDF said it has long been concerned that the trade relationship has not favoured Nigeria, despite the country’s vast economic potential and abundant natural resources.
“We are, however, hopeful that President Bola Tinubu’s business-oriented approach to statecraft will foster stronger trade partnerships between Nigeria and Türkiye, leading to increased Nigerian exports,” the group stated.
According to TDF, the President’s visit to Türkiye has further enhanced Nigeria’s global recognition and prestige, driven by the administration’s ongoing economic reforms. It expressed optimism that Nigeria would leverage the visit to achieve the newly set bilateral trade target of $5 billion.
The group also welcomed the security cooperation agreement signed between Nigeria and Türkiye during the visit, describing it as a positive development.
TDF said the pact aligns with President Tinubu’s earlier commitment, following the Nigeria–United States security cooperation against insurgency in December 2025, to pursue broader defence and security partnerships aimed at eliminating terrorism and banditry.
The group expressed confidence that the commitment by both leaders to deploy resources against terrorism in Nigeria and the Sahel region would strengthen ongoing security efforts and enhance Nigeria’s defence capabilities in combating insurgency.
Recalling that military and trade relations between Nigeria and Türkiye date back to the era of the Ottoman Empire, TDF said Türkiye’s involvement in Nigeria’s current counter-insurgency efforts could further boost the Tinubu administration’s anti-terrorism drive and strengthen national security.
TDF added that the security partnership would increase pressure on terrorists and bandits operating in the country and help address what it described as the negative religious labelling of insecurity in Nigeria by former US President Donald Trump.