• Nigeria will deploy 200 special forces soldiers to Turkey for training
• The program reflects broader defense cooperation, including equipment production
• Rising security threats have driven a sharp increase in military spending

Nigeria plans to send 200 special forces soldiers to Turkey for advanced training under a bilateral defense agreement.

Defense Minister Christopher Musa announced the deployment on April 18 on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, following talks with his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler. The selected troops are expected to leave shortly after the minister’s return to Nigeria.

The training program forms part of a wider effort to strengthen the operational capacity of Nigerian forces, particularly in counterterrorism. It also reflects a broader push to deepen military cooperation between the two countries.

Beyond training, Abuja and Ankara are exploring collaboration in defense manufacturing, including the coproduction of military equipment. Nigeria aims to benefit from Turkey’s rapid progress in building its domestic defense industry in recent years.

“Turkey has made significant advances in military production. Nigeria is still developing in this area, and we have agreed to work together to coproduce certain equipment,” Musa said.

The partnership comes at a time of persistent security challenges in Nigeria. The country has faced nearly two decades of asymmetric conflicts, including a jihadist insurgency in the northeast, along with widespread banditry and kidnappings.

In response, the government has sharply increased military spending. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, defense expenditures rose from 1,580 billion naira ($1.17 billion) in 2024 to 3,100 billion naira in 2025.

Turkey has emerged as a key partner in Nigeria’s security strategy, with recent agreements strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across multiple defense sectors.

Charlène N’dimon