Tinubu Jets Out on State Visit to Turkiye with High Power Nigerian Delegation Today After Ambassadorial Nominee to Turkey Withdrawal Saga

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

Nigeria's President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu departs Abuja today, January 26, for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye with a high power Nigerian Delegation less than a week after withdrawing Nigeria's Ambassadorial nominee to the country.

According to a State House release by Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Sunday, "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."

Recalling that the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid an official visit to Nigeria from October 19 to 20, 2021, Obanuga announced that, "During President Tinubu's visit, both countries will engage in strategic political and diplomatic discussions on shared values in finance, communication, trade and investment."

He further hinted that, "The agenda will include meetings between high-ranking officials of both nations and the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in scientific research, energy,  technical cooperation, media and communications, military cooperation and protocol, among others.

A business forum will bring together investors from both countries to explore areas of interest during the visit.  

Meanwhile, members of the President’s entourage participating in the bilateral discussions include: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd) and Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Hon. Jimi Benson.

Others are: Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.

The statement states that, "President Tinubu is expected to return to the country at the conclusion of the visit."

OTN News recalls that when the name of Isa Dakingari featured on the Ambassadorial Nominees list earlier released last Thursday, he was expected to have gone ahead of President Tinubu to Turkey but in an overnight dramatic turn of events, his name was dropped from the list on Friday morning.

No tangible official reasons have been given for the withdrawal of Isa Dakingari’s name from the Ambassadorial Nominees list by the Federal Government.