Nigeria and Turkey Form Strategic Alliance

The defence pact with Türkiye is a milestone, argues CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA

I recently travelled to the Republic of Türkiye to attend the fifth edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2026), organized by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event gathered representatives from many nations and was one of the rare occasions that required me to wear a suit. Colleagues made light‑hearted remarks about my attire, and a friend suggested I wear suits more often. I replied that I am not comfortable in them, and we all laughed. Just as my clothing attracted comments, the defence pact that Nigeria signed with Türkiye has also generated discussion.

I consider myself fortunate to have served in senior defence roles in Nigeria, rising to the rank of four‑star General and now holding the portfolio of Minister of Defence. This background gives me a clear perspective on when to advance or pause defence collaborations with other countries, a judgement I guard closely.

The 200 marksmen: One concrete outcome of my recent trip is the plan to send 200 Nigerian military personnel to Türkiye for advanced counter‑insurgency training. This is not the first such overseas programme, nor will it be the last. I recall that, as a senior officer in 2012‑2013, I attended training in China at the International College of Defence Studies, National Defence University. Mentioning this history underscores that foreign military training is routine. As a General who has benefited from similar programmes, I would only approve the deployment of 200 troops to Türkiye if the training adds real value to Nigeria’s security forces; in fact, I would consider sending an even larger contingent if the opportunity warranted it.

Our defence capabilities are interdependent with those of other nations. Nigeria, for example, has been a major contributor to Liberia’s security sector under a long‑term bilateral agreement that assists the transformation of the Armed Forces of Liberia into a professional force. Although we do not maintain a permanent base in Liberia, we operate a high‑level advisory and training team there, which is standard practice in international defence diplomacy. The strength of a military is often reflected in the depth of its alliances.

Irregular warfare: Some segments of the population believe that sheer military force alone can resolve Nigeria’s security challenges, and they voice that view loudly. In combat, pulling the trigger is only one part of the equation; accurate targeting and coordination are equally critical. The Nigerian Armed Forces have undergone significant evolution, a trend I recognised early and have consistently contextualised. My career has been rooted in the military: I have served as commander in the Northeast theatre of operations, as head of the Infantry Corps, and as Chief of Defence Staff. These experiences inform my commentary on defence matters.

While serving as Chief of Defence Staff, I travelled to Doha for an official engagement. After the meeting, Al Jazeera invited me to discuss Nigeria’s security situation on their studio. I accepted because I felt I had “something to say” in my capacity as the nation’s top defence official. Rumours later suggested I had gone to Doha primarily for a television appearance, but the reality is that information warfare— the strategic use of information to gain advantage— is as important as kinetic operations. I am well‑versed in this domain, and Nigerians can expect more of my input on security issues.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2026) provided a platform to explain my credentials as Minister of Defence and to address the defence pact with Türkiye. The agreement to send 200 Nigerian personnel to Turkey was not concluded at the forum; rather, the event focused on “best managing uncertainties and addressing pressing issues while preparing for future challenges.” My Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler, head of the Turkish National Defence Ministry, was also present, allowing us to discuss the ongoing partnership on an international stage.

Speculation and reality conflict: Talk of a Turkish military base in Nigeria illustrates how speculation can diverge from fact. A defence pact typically includes provisions for reciprocal visits, joint training, and other cooperative activities that do not infringe on sovereignty. The agreement with Türkiye respects Nigeria’s sovereignty, and it should not be portrayed as a threat. Türkiye ranks among the top nations in the Global Firepower Index and is one of the world’s largest exporters of arms and ammunition, making it a valuable partner.

What constitutes a military base? If, for example, a Turkish detachment were dispatched to Nigeria to train our officers in counter‑insurgency tactics, would that be a base? Would it require the Turkish flag to be raised at Nigerian installations? The pact with Türkiye is classified as a Security Force Assistance (SFA) arrangement, not the establishment of a foreign base. This distinction clarifies the scope of the agreement.

Nigeria faces multiple layers of security threats, and sustained efforts are underway to address them. That is why I speak frequently. With Türkiye, we have not only signed a defence pact but also secured a strong partner to support our security objectives.

General Musa, OFR, GSS, rtd, former Chief of Defence Staff, is the Minister of Defence