The agenda of the state visit to Türkiye by President Bola Ahmed GCFR on 27 – 28 January 2026 included a Government to Business (G2B) Roundtable meeting.
Held at the JW Marriot Hotel, Ankara, on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, the meeting was organized by the Türkiye Ministry of Trade and the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEIK) in coordination with the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI), Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), and the Nigeria-Türkiye Business Council (NTBC)
Key participants from both countries included ministers, agency heads, and senior private sector representatives from construction, energy, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and oil & gas sectors.
Setting the tone for the high-level meeting, the Chairman of DEIK/ Türkiye- Nigeria Business Council (TNBC) Mr. Osman Aksoy, in his welcome remarks, emphasised the historic and growing economic ties between Nigeria and Türkiye with potential in sectors such as construction, energy, agriculture, and textiles.
In his welcome remarks, Hon. Dele Kelvin Oye, Chairman, Nigeria-Türkiye Business Council (NTBC) called for actionable strategies focused on industrial integration, local production, and long-term investment.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s membership in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a key advantage to Türkiye businesses with export hubs in Nigeria, as it offers access to a market of 1.3 billion people in the African Continent and China which recently signed free trade agreements in 53 African countries.
Ms. Aisha Rimi, CEO of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), presented Nigeria’s investment landscape, highlighting success stories. She emphasized the importance of Türkiye businesses registering with NIPC in order to enjoy the commission’s support and facilitation during the process of onboarding their businesses in Nigeria.
The country presentation was followed by the self-introduction/presentations by participating companies from both countries.
Both countries’ government representatives took turns to provide more insight into the benefits of partnership and joint ventures between Nigeria and Türkiye.
Emphasising Türkiye’s readiness in upscaling the existing economic relations, Hon. Mahmut Gürcan, Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Trade proposed a Nigeria-Türkiye Business Forum to be held in Nigeria.
Hon. Sen. John Owan Enoh, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, expressed strong mutual interest in deepening economic relations.
He informed the meeting that Nigeria is currently embarking on one of the most consequential economic reform cycles in modern history and transitioning from distortion to discipline.
He listed priority sectors for Turkiye investment and partnership as manufacturing and industrial processing, encouraging investment in the textile sector, one of Turkiye’s strong areas of trade, which is currently being revamped. Other priority areas listed were energy & power infrastructure, solid minerals & mining, agriculture & agro-processing, infrastructure, and EPC opportunities
His presentation ended with a call to investors into long-term local manufacturing partnerships, joint ventures, technology transfer, industrial park development,export oriented production in Nigeria, a reformed, stabilising, and opportunity rich economy
Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations informed the meeting that his role was to note the actionable points raised during the meeting, advise, and ensure follow-up from the Nigerian side in order to ensure ease of doing business with Nigeria.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), led Nigerian students resident in Türkiye to the meeting and encouraged the participating Türkiye businesses to take advantage of their knowledge skill set by offering them employment as Türkiye’s contribution to capacity building and knowledge transfer which is an important aspect of economic relations.
Rounding off government presentations, H.E. Mr. Wale Edun, Honourable Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy pointed out that the inclusion of the business round table on the Presidential visit agenda, and the strong government representation through the participation of the heads of the government trade and investment agencies underscored Nigeria’s commitment to deepening economic relations with Türkiye. It also demonstrates Nigeria’s whole-of-government approach to international relations.
He addressed Turkish business concerns, assuring them of the government’s determination to remove impediments, ensure ease of doing business, and provide investment security.
The round table ended with a family photograph and a B2B networking session.
The round table coordination was led by Mr. Evren Dogan, Director for Africa at DEIK and Ms. Uche Osoka, Director General, Nigeria-Türkiye Business Council (NTBC)
ATTENDEES
H.E. Mr. Wale Edun, Honourable Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
Sen. John Owan Enoh, Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment.
Ms. Aisha Rimi, CEO of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM)
Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and International Relations to the President.
High Chief (Dr) Matt Offeh, Chairman of LESODA Group, representing Construction, Energy and Agriculture sectors
Mr. Balogun Kittan, CEO of Submed Nig Ltd, representing Healthcare Products Manufacturing Sector
Mr. Osaro Abusomwan, CEO of Tyro Marketing Company Limited, representing the Steel Mining, & Gas sectors
Dr. Henry Chima Wordu, CEO of CHIMS Network and Investment Ltd, representing Oil & Gas and Marine Security sectors.
Mr. Hakan Ozel, CEO of Armada Group & Vice Chairman of the Bilateral & Trade Committee, NTBC, representing Turkish business interests in Nigeria
Ms. Success Onwosi Saintedwin
CEO Sainteso Global Services Ltd, representing Industrial Cleaning, Logistics & Contract Merchandise sectors
Mr. Ayodeji Nelson Daodu CEO Nelson Africa Global Ltd representing Tourism & Business Facilitation sectors
Ms. Uche Osoka, Director General, Nigeria-Türkiye Business Council (NTBC)
