Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, has announced that the country has secured an agreement with Türkiye to send 200 Nigerian Special Forces personnel for immediate training in the European nation.
Musa revealed this during an interview on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Antalya, following high-level talks with his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Guler. The three-day international gathering, themed “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties,” brought together global leaders, diplomats, and policymakers.
According to the minister, Türkiye has already approved training slots for 200 Nigerian Special Forces operatives, and arrangements are underway for their swift deployment once he returns home. He noted that the training programme is part of a broader military cooperation framework between both countries.
Musa further disclosed that the partnership extends beyond training, encompassing joint military exercises scheduled for later in the year, as well as deeper collaboration in defence production and technology transfer. He emphasized that both nations are committed to strengthening ties across multiple aspects of defence and security.
Highlighting the long-standing relationship between the two countries, Musa described Türkiye as a trusted partner, noting that bilateral cooperation dates back decades. He added that Nigeria stands to benefit from Türkiye’s advancements in military hardware production and its extensive experience in combating terrorism.
The minister pointed out that while Nigeria has spent nearly two decades tackling insurgency and asymmetric warfare, Türkiye has over 40 years of experience in similar operations. This shared background, he said, creates an opportunity for both countries to exchange knowledge, improve defence capabilities, and enhance industrial military production.
He concluded that the agreement will also facilitate the exchange of military personnel and expertise, ultimately boosting Nigeria’s defence capacity through structured training, joint production initiatives, and strategic collaboration.