‘Not Just Selling Weapons, But Building Them Here’: Turkey To Set Up Defence Factories In Nigeria, Targets $5bn Trade

Turkey is planning to establish local defence production facilities and military training centres in Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen security cooperation and increase bilateral trade from its current $2 billion to $5 billion.

The plan was disclosed by the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy, on Monday in Abuja during a press briefing to commemorate the 66th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE PLAN

Poroy said the proposed defence production facilities would enable Turkey to move beyond supplying military equipment to Nigeria to supporting local manufacturing.

“We are planning to have some local production unit also in that context, not only selling to Nigeria, the tools, equipment, that arms that it needs, but also the possibility of having local production here in Nigeria,” he said .

On military training, the ambassador disclosed that 200 Nigerian special forces personnel were undergoing a two-month training programme in Turkey, adding that plans were underway to establish a training facility in Nigeria .

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THE CONTEXT

The plan forms part of efforts to implement agreements reached during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Turkey earlier in the year, which was attended by nine Nigerian ministers and resulted in the signing of nine agreements and memoranda of understanding.

Poroy said Turkey was willing to share its experience in combating terrorism with Nigeria, noting that his country had lost more than 40,000 people in its 40-year fight against terrorism and spent billions of dollars tackling the menace .

He identified defence cooperation as a major area of bilateral relations, noting that the Nigerian military was already using Turkish attack helicopters and drones in operations against insecurity, particularly in northern Nigeria.

THE TRADE TARGET

On economic relations, Poroy said both countries were targeting $5 billion in bilateral trade, compared with the current volume of approximately $2 billion, including oil and gas.

“The instruction is the goal is to have $5bn bilateral trade. So far, it is around $2bn, including oil and gas. When you see the huge Nigerian economy, $2bn is not something so important,” he said .

WHY IT MATTERS

The Turkey-Nigeria defence partnership is a significant development in Nigeria’s security architecture.

For decades, Nigeria has relied on Western countries for military equipment and training. Turkey offers an alternative. It is a NATO member with a proven defence industry, combat experience against insurgents, and a willingness to share technology and build local capacity.

The plan to establish defence factories in Nigeria is particularly significant. It would reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports and create jobs and technical skills in the country.

But the partnership also raises questions. Turkey’s human rights record has been criticised by international organisations. Its fight against the PKK has been brutal.

And its defence industry has been accused of fuelling conflicts in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh.

For Nigeria, the choice is not between a perfect partner and an imperfect one. It is between partners who are willing to share what they have and partners who are not. Turkey is willing.

The question is whether Nigeria can manage the relationship without compromising its own values and interests. ValidViewNetwork reports.