By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at approximately 2:05 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, for a high-stakes state visit to the Republic of Türkiye.
The visit, which comes at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is designed to deepen bilateral relations and finalize several strategic agreements between the two nations.
The trip was disclosed in a post on X by the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who said the visit was aimed at strengthening ties and expanding cooperation in key sectors.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departs Abuja today for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye. The visit is aimed at strengthening the existing cordial relations between the two countries and exploring further areas of cooperation in security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation,” Olusegun wrote.
A video attached to the post showed the President at the airport ahead of his departure. He was accompanied by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and other top government officials.
The New Diplomat had reported that the Presidency, through a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, highlighted that the trip aims to expand cooperation in several critical sectors.
“The visit is aimed at strengthening the existing cordial relations between the two countries and exploring further areas of cooperation in security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation,” Onanuga stated.
According to him, the visit also reciprocates the state visit to Nigeria by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in October 2021.
