…Military Cooperation – APC Chieftain

By Adeola Badru

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and security expert, Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official visit to Türkiye as a key opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen counterterrorism measures and expand military cooperation amid ongoing security challenges.

In a press statement released on Tuesday and signed by his media aide, Rasheed Abubakar, Mumuni said the visit goes beyond routine diplomatic engagement, offering a timely chance to deepen Nigeria’s security and defence partnership with Türkiye.

Mumuni, who served on the intelligence and security team of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 election, noted that Türkiye’s growing role in global defence positions it as a valuable partner for Nigeria, which continues to face terrorism, banditry, and other transnational security threats.

He said that while Nigeria and Türkiye have long cooperated in areas such as trade, education, and diplomacy, current security realities call for more focused engagement in counterterrorism, military collaboration, and the supply of defence materials.

According to Mumuni, Türkiye’s experience in combating terrorism, securing its borders, and managing complex armed conflicts provides lessons that Nigeria can adapt to its own security context. He added that Ankara’s operational experience could assist Nigeria in strengthening its national security architecture.

The APC chieftain called for structured and mutually beneficial defence dialogue, noting that military cooperation could enhance Nigeria’s capacity to address both internal and external threats. He also stressed the importance of Nigeria asserting its sovereignty in choosing defence partners to ensure access to critical military assets without external restrictions.

Mumuni described President Tinubu’s visit as a signal of Nigeria’s commitment to advancing national interests globally, stating that deeper security cooperation with Türkiye could contribute to national stability, territorial integrity, and the safety of citizens.

He urged Nigerians to support the engagement, highlighting its potential to lay the foundation for a more secure and resilient nation.