By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye have taken a major step towards strengthening bilateral relations and deepening diaspora engagement with the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation on diaspora affairs.
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 on behalf of the Turkish government during the state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Türkiye.
According to an official statement signed by the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the MoU represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s diaspora diplomacy and reflects the growing strategic partnership between both countries.
During a visit to NiDCOM’s counterpart agency in Ankara, Türkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the agreement as another major achievement under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She noted that the MoU is the first bilateral agreement of its kind signed by NiDCOM since its establishment six years ago, underscoring its historic importance.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, the MoU provides 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.
She explained that the agreement identifies several priority areas for joint action, including diaspora participation in policy formulation and implementation, promotion of diaspora investment, educational, sports and cultural development, and collaboration in science and technology.
Other areas of cooperation include sharing best practices in engaging with diaspora communities, provision of protection and welfare services for citizens abroad, support for cultural and educational exchanges, and encouragement of diaspora investment and broader economic partnerships.
On his part, Abdulhadi Turus, Head of Türkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, expressed appreciation for the partnership and reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to closer collaboration with Nigeria on diaspora-related issues.
He praised the signing of the MoU, noting that it has the potential to significantly strengthen ties between Turkish and Nigerian diaspora communities across the world. He 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, while underscoring the shared determination of both nations to harness the vast potential of their diaspora populations for mutual development and prosperity.
As part of the official engagements in Türkiye, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, also held a meeting with members of the Nigerian community in Ankara, alongside the Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Türkiye, 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.
Discussions at the meeting focused on issues such as passport renewal processes, post-study visa arrangements, and ease of doing business. Nigerians in Türkiye were encouraged to continue to be good ambassadors of their country and to leverage their skills, knowledge, and resources in contributing to Nigeria’s national development.
