Nigeria and Türkiye have strengthened bilateral defence ties with a series of strategic agreements covering training, technology transfer, and maritime cooperation at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026.

The agreements were reached during talks between Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa; and his Turkish counterpart, as part of efforts to deepen military collaboration and enhance Nigeria’s defence capabilities.

The Nigerian delegation included senior military and diplomatic officials, including the Chief of the Air Staff, representatives of the Nigerian Embassy, and defence advisers.

Both countries reaffirmed their longstanding relationship and outlined practical measures to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, in line with the administration’s reform agenda under Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Central to the agreements is a comprehensive training and capacity development programme for the Nigerian armed forces.

Türkiye will provide structured training in special operations, counterterrorism, intelligence integration, counter-drone and counter-improvised explosive device (IED) operations, and United Nations pre-deployment exercises.

An initial batch of Nigerian personnel is expected to be deployed in Türkiye for immediate training, alongside provisions for Turkish language instruction and field exercises. Both sides also agreed to establish a major military training facility in Nigeria, with plans for a temporary site and a permanent coastal centre of excellence.

In the aviation sector, commitments were made to strengthen maintenance systems, logistics supply chains, and training to boost operational readiness, including potential acquisition and support for helicopters and unmanned systems.

Naval cooperation also featured prominently, with Nigerian naval officials expected to engage their Turkish counterparts to evaluate suitable platforms and expand maritime training to improve domain awareness.

Both countries agreed on a phased implementation plan, with Nigeria expected to provide land, preferably in coastal areas, for the development of training and operational facilities.

Describing the outcome as a significant milestone, Musa said the agreements would deliver measurable improvements in national security and reinforce ongoing defence reforms.