Nigeria and Turkey are taking steps to bolster their relationship through enhanced diaspora engagement. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and Turkish authorities met in Abuja to explore collaboration opportunities.
Chairman of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, highlighted similarities between Nigeria and Turkish diaspora experiences during a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy. Dabiri-Erewa outlined NiDCOM’s initiatives, including the Diaspora Investment Summit, National Diaspora Day, and Diaspora Merit Awards, aimed at showcasing success stories and encouraging contributions to national development.
Ambassador Poroy proposed a working partnership between NiDCOM and Turkey’s Presidency of Turks Abroad and Related Diaspora to share strategies and strengthen bilateral relations. Turkey’s diaspora population stands at 7.5 million, with significant numbers in Europe and the US, while Nigeria’s diaspora is estimated at over 17 million.
The discussions also touched on challenges facing Nigerian students in Northern Cyprus, with Dabiri-Erewa calling for urgent action and Poroy pledging to facilitate dialogue with the relevant authorities. Both sides expressed interest in deepening cooperation, with Turkey ready to host a Nigerian delegation for further talks.
This development aligns with previous efforts to strengthen Nigeria-Turkey ties, including agreements and security, agriculture, tourism, and education. The countries share identical views on regional and international issues like disarmament and counter terrorism.
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