Nigeria has reached a new defence agreement with Türkiye to establish a military training facility aimed at strengthening the country’s security capacity.
The deal was finalised during bilateral talks between Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, and his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026.
According to officials, the proposed facility will serve as a long-term centre for advanced military training. Nigerian authorities have identified a coastal location for the permanent site, while a temporary base will be used to begin operations.
A senior official in the Ministry of Defence said the partnership would focus on building capacity across critical areas of modern warfare.
“This collaboration is designed to strengthen our armed forces through structured and scalable training programmes, particularly in specialised operations and emerging security threats,” the official stated.
Under the arrangement, Nigerian military personnel will receive training in Special Forces operations, counterterrorism strategies, intelligence coordination, counter-drone tactics, and improvised explosive device (IED) response. The programme will also include preparation for United Nations peacekeeping missions.
An initial batch of Nigerian personnel is expected to travel to Türkiye for training, which will include language instruction and field exercises.
Beyond training, both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in defence technology and industry development.
This includes knowledge transfer, joint capability development, and the use of advanced surveillance systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles and satellite monitoring tools.
Officials also confirmed plans to enhance border security through improved intelligence sharing and coordinated responses to threats posed by non-state actors.
“We are moving towards a more integrated security framework that leverages technology, intelligence, and strategic partnerships,” another defence source said.
The agreement further covers support for Nigeria’s disarmament and reintegration initiatives, with Türkiye offering to share its experience in rehabilitating former combatants.
In the area of air defence, both sides discussed improving logistics, maintenance systems, and training for the Nigerian Air Force, alongside possible acquisition of helicopters and unmanned systems.
Naval cooperation is also expected to expand, with discussions on maritime training and potential procurement of naval platforms.
Speaking on the outcome of the talks, Musa described the agreement as a major step forward in bilateral relations.
“This partnership represents a significant milestone. We are focused on achieving measurable outcomes that will enhance our national security,” he said.
Nigeria has increasingly sought international defence partnerships in recent years as it confronts persistent threats such as terrorism, banditry, and organised crime. The latest agreement with Türkiye adds to ongoing collaborations with global partners supporting Nigeria’s security efforts.
