Nigeria and Turkey have embarked on an ambitious mission to deepen their economic relationships, with both nations exploring joint ventures and technological collaborations. The inaugural Turkey-Nigeria Business and Investment Forum, hosted recently in Lagos, provided a pivotal platform for these discussions.
Daniel Deji Ayodele, the founder of the Mind Shift Empowerment and Employment (MEE) initiative and the convener of the summit, emphasized the strategic role of the forum in strengthening trade ties and attracting foreign direct investment between the two countries. Ayodele presented Nigeria as a prime gateway for Turkish enterprises looking to expand into Africa and the Sahel region, underscoring the nation’s vast economic potential.
“We have come from Turkey with a delegation from the business community of Turkey to show them that Nigeria is safe for business,” Ayodele asserted. He stressed the need to alter the prevailing perceptions that Nigeria’s security challenges deter investments, revealing engagements with over 64 Turkish businesses to reassure them of the country’s stability and prospects.
The summit enabled Turkish investors to engage directly with Nigerian industry leaders, fostering potential long-term partnerships and investment opportunities. “What we have done is to create partnerships, and relationships and sell Nigeria as a country that is ready to receive investors,” Ayodele remarked, urging the Nigerian government to enhance the business environment.
Gabriel Idahosa, president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), lauded the summit’s effectiveness in galvanizing governmental support and promoting economic interactions between Nigeria and Turkey. “This initial meeting has sparked significant interest, and I anticipate that various transactions will materialize from these discussions in the near future,” Idahosa commented, promising significant support from the LCCI for continued engagement with the Turkish delegations.
Martins Arebun underscored a proactive strategy, focusing on attracting essential businesses to Nigeria’s economic landscape.
Echoing the sentiment of opportunity, Ismail Aktas, general president of the Eurasia Businessmen Association of Turkey, remarked on Nigeria’s vast potential. “Nigeria is an outstanding country brimming with opportunities, eagerly anticipated by many Turkish businessmen,” Aktas observed.
Shina Peller, a former member of the House of Representatives and founder of the Aquila Group, called on Turkish investors to capitalize on the shared traits of resilience and adaptability between Nigerians and Turks.
The Turkey-Nigeria Business and Investment Forum signifies a critical step toward solidifying the economic partnership between Nigeria and Turkey, paving the way for enhanced bilateral trade relations and sustainable economic growth.
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