By Alexander Ekemenah 

Hon. Dele Kelvin Oye, the Chairman of the Nigeria-Turkiye Business Council, has called for the strengthening of trans-continental economic ties between Nigeria and Turkiye because of its strategic added value for both countries.

He made this call at the Turkiye-Nigeria Business Council Summit held in Ankara, Turkiye, recently.

In his speech delivered at Marriot Hotel, Ankara, on January 28, 2026, he said the Nigeria Turkiye Investment Forum is designed as a platform for deepening bilateral commercial synergy.

“Our vision is to transit from a relationship based on simple commodity exchange to one rooted in deep industrial integration.”

Tracing the history of Nigeria and Turkiye, he said the relationship is built on a foundation of mutual respect that dates back to Nigeria’s independence in 1960.

“Over the decades, both countries have navigated the challenges of the global political economy, consistently finding common ground in their aspirations for South-South  cooperation.

“This evolution is characterised by a shift from a traditional land-power focus to a more dynamic, maritime, and globally oriented economic strategy.”

Oye hinged his call on three fundamentals now apparent in Nigeria.

He said the first is the macroeconomic reforms and regulatory framework improvements.

“Nigeria is currently undergoing a period of profound structural transformation. The recent implementation of macroeconomic reforms, including the unification of the foreign exchange market and the removal of fuel subsidies, represents a decisive move toward market transparency”

The second fundamental is the demographic dividends and the expansion of consumer markets.

“The demographic profile of Nigeria presents one of the most compelling investment cases globally.  By 2050, Nigeria is projected to be the most populous nation in the world, offering a vast and expanding consumer market”

The third fundamental is the ongoing strategic infrastructure development and industrialisation initiatives.

“The development of the Lekki Deep Sea Port and various Special Economuc Zones (SEZs) has created “islands of efficiency” designed to facilitate manufacturing and export.

“These zones offer significant incentives, including tax holidays and streamlined customs procedures, making them ideal locations for Turkush manufacturing firms.

“Furthermore, investments in energy and rail networks are addressing the historical infrastructure deficits, thereby reducing the cost of doing business and improving supply chain reliability.”

Oye further said the partnership between Nigeria and Turkiye has reached a pivotal moment of opportunity and must be sustained.

“The historical foundation of trust, combined with Nigeria’s bold economic reforms and demographic dividends, creates a compelling case for sustained Turkush investment.

“The Nigeria Turkiye Business Council remains steadfast in its commitment to facilitating this journey, providing the institutional support necessary for Turkush firms to succeed in Africa’s largest economy.”