By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, accompanied President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on a high-level official visit to Ankara, Türkiye, which began on 26 January 2026. The trip underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence capabilities, deepening international partnerships, and accelerating military modernisation.
During the visit, President Tinubu held focused bilateral talks with his Turkish counterpart, resulting in the signing of nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across defence, trade, education, media, technology, and related sectors. The agreements are designed to facilitate access to advanced technologies, structured skills transfer, and frameworks that enhance Nigeria’s long-term national security and development objectives.
Speaking on the visit’s significance, the Minister of Defence, General Musa, highlighted the administration’s focus on confronting national security challenges.
He said, “This government is committed to equipping the Armed Forces with the capabilities, partnerships, and technologies required to defeat terrorism, banditry, and other threats to our national stability. Our engagements in Türkiye are practical steps toward strengthening operational effectiveness and self-reliance.”
As part of the visit, the CAS and the Defence Minister toured key Turkish defence industry players, including ASELSAN, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), and HAVELSAN. They also held high-level bilateral defence meetings aimed at reviewing procurement programmes, improving sustainment and maintenance support, expanding training, advancing research and development, and deepening indigenous capacity building within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Air Marshal Aneke emphasized the operational benefits of the trip for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), particularly in ongoing efforts against terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. He said, “The Nigerian Air Force remains resolute in delivering smarter air power for safer communities.
This strategic engagement enhances our ability to support ground forces, dominate the air domain, and decisively neutralize threats to our nation.”
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