Nigeria has entered a defence partnership with Türkiye that will see the establishment of a military training facility on Nigerian soil to strengthen the country’s security capacity.
The understanding was reached during talks between Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, and his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
A statement from the Ministry of Defence said the proposed centre will function as a long-term hub for specialised training of Nigerian Armed Forces personnel. Authorities have identified a coastal location for the permanent site, while a temporary facility will be used to begin activities.
Under the plan, Nigerian troops will receive advanced instruction in special operations, counterterrorism tactics, intelligence coordination, counter-drone and improvised explosive device response, as well as preparations for United Nations missions. An initial batch of personnel is expected to travel to Türkiye for early training phases, including language support and field exercises.
Beyond training, the agreement covers technology exchange, collaboration between both countries’ defence industries, and joint efforts to build new capabilities. Both sides also pledged to work together on surveillance systems, unmanned platforms, and satellite-supported monitoring to address emerging threats.
The arrangement includes cooperation on border security, intelligence sharing, and strategies for handling non-state armed groups. Türkiye is also expected to share experience on programmes designed to reintegrate former fighters into society.
Air and naval cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. Plans were outlined to improve maintenance and logistics systems for the Nigerian Air Force, with possible acquisition of helicopters and unmanned assets under review. Maritime collaboration may also lead to further training and potential procurement of naval platforms to enhance maritime security.
Musa described the outcome of the talks as a major boost to bilateral defence relations, expressing confidence that the agreements would translate into practical improvements in Nigeria’s security operations.
The new partnership comes as Nigeria continues to widen its international defence ties in response to terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges, while also receiving support from the United States in training and intelligence.
