Nigeria has intensified efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities as top military chiefs explored new areas of cooperation and technology partnership with Türkiye, underscoring a strategic shift towards modern, technology-driven security solutions.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, visited ASELSAN, Türkiye’s leading defence electronics company, as part of Nigeria’s broader engagement with the Turkish defence industry.
The visit, which took place on the sidelines of President Bola Tinubu’s official trip to Türkiye, was disclosed by security consultant and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, in a statement on his official X account on Thursday.
According to Makama, the Nigerian defence chiefs inspected key defence systems at ASELSAN, a firm known for its advanced military communications, radar, surveillance and electronic systems across land, air and naval domains.
Gen. Musa, in a statement made available on Thursday, said the delegation was received by Türkiye’s President of Defence Industries, Mr Haluk Görgün, adding that discussions focused on consolidating existing cooperation and identifying fresh opportunities for defence collaboration.
“We conducted a practical inspection of defence equipment and held discussions on ongoing cooperation and potential avenues for deeper defence synergy between Nigeria and Türkiye,” the CDS said.
He explained that the engagement forms part of Nigeria’s long-term strategy to enhance its defence architecture through strategic partnerships, technology transfer and indigenous capacity development.
Gen. Musa said the interaction with ASELSAN provided critical insights into modern defence electronics and indigenous solutions capable of strengthening Nigeria’s security framework.
The CDS reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening defence ties with Türkiye, particularly in training, research, production and systems integration, noting that sustained collaboration remains vital to building a resilient and self-reliant military.
The defence initiative aligns with wider diplomatic and economic engagements between both countries. Earlier, President Tinubu said Nigeria is strengthening economic, security and diplomatic relations with Türkiye, with both nations agreeing to work towards a $5 billion bilateral trade volume.
Speaking in Ankara during a joint press briefing with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Tinubu stressed the importance of open trade, inclusive economic growth and shared prosperity.
“What is important to the countries being discussed is trade and business without restrictions, giving opportunities to those who are ready to learn, work and prosper,” the President said.
He added that discussions with Türkiye also covered cooperation against terrorism and other agents of destabilisation, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace and stability across Africa despite prevailing security challenges.
