By Jane Okafor, Abeokuta
Nigeria and Türkiye have struck a major defence agreement to establish a high-level military training facility on Nigerian soil, marking a significant push to upgrade the country’s security capabilities.
The deal was finalised during bilateral talks between Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, and his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Guler, at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the proposed centre will function as a long-term training and capacity-building hub for the Nigerian Armed Forces. Authorities have already identified a coastal location for the permanent site, while a temporary facility will be set up to begin operations immediately.
Under the agreement, Nigerian troops will receive advanced training in specialised fields including Special Forces operations, counterterrorism strategies, intelligence coordination, counter-drone and counter-IED tactics, as well as United Nations pre-deployment exercises.
The partnership also includes plans to send an initial group of Nigerian personnel to Türkiye for immediate training, alongside Turkish language instruction and participation in field exercises.
Beyond personnel training, both countries agreed to deepen collaboration in defence technology and innovation. This includes joint efforts in developing military capabilities, sharing expertise, and enhancing surveillance systems through drones and satellite-enabled monitoring.
The agreement further outlines cooperation on border security, intelligence sharing, and coordinated responses to emerging threats from non-state actors. Türkiye also offered to support Nigeria’s disarmament and reintegration programmes by sharing best practices for rehabilitating former combatants.
In the area of air defence, both sides committed to improving maintenance systems, logistics, and operational training for the Nigerian Air Force. Discussions also include the possible acquisition of helicopters and unmanned aerial systems.
Naval cooperation is another key pillar of the deal, with plans for joint maritime training and potential procurement of naval platforms to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime security.
Defence Minister Musa described the agreement as a major milestone in bilateral relations, expressing confidence that it will deliver concrete improvements to national security.
The partnership comes as Nigeria continues to broaden its international defence alliances to better tackle evolving threats such as terrorism and banditry. It also coincides with ongoing support from the United States, which is currently assisting Nigeria with training, intelligence, and military equipment.
