Nigeria and Türkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in strategic communication, media development, and the global fight against misinformation. The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting held in Istanbul on Saturday, where officials from both nations discussed enhancing partnerships to promote international peace, security, and development.
The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) Corporation World Forum. Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, met with Professor Burhanettin Duran, the Head of the Directorate of Communications in Türkiye. According to a statement issued by Special Assistant to the Minister, Rabiu Ibrahim, the meeting marked a significant step in consolidating the growing relationship between the two countries.
Minister Idris acknowledged Türkiye’s expanding influence on the global stage, particularly its increasing engagement with Africa. He commended the Turkish government for hosting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier in the year, describing the visit as a milestone that opened new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation. Idris also praised the TRT Corporation for expanding its presence in Africa through its Hausa-language service and by providing training opportunities for Nigerian media professionals.
Both officials highlighted the urgent need to address the misuse of artificial intelligence and the spread of fake news, which they described as growing threats to public trust and social cohesion. Idris emphasized the importance of responsible technology deployment and improved media literacy, noting Nigeria’s role as the host of the world’s first Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute. He expressed his desire to welcome Professor Duran to Nigeria in the near future to further explore practical areas of cooperation.
Professor Duran responded by describing Nigeria as a strong regional and international partner, citing its strategic position and cultural diversity as key assets for promoting global stability. He announced Türkiye’s intention to sign Memoranda of Understanding with several Nigerian public media organizations, including the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and Voice of Nigeria (VON). These agreements are expected to establish a framework for cooperation in broadcasting, content exchange, and technical development.
Furthermore, the Turkish communications chief invited Nigeria to participate in the Sixth International Strategic Communication Summit, scheduled to be held in Istanbul in January 2027. The summit will focus on strengthening international collaboration and developing strategic responses to emerging global challenges. Both sides concluded the meeting with a shared determination to harness communication and cultural diplomacy to advance peace and mutual development.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
