Matawalle, Güler Reaffirm Strong Bilateral Defence Bond

Nigeria and Türkiye have reaffirmed their long-standing commitment to strengthening bilateral military cooperation, following a high-level meeting at the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul.

Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, met with his Turkish counterpart, Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler, on Wednesday,, in a bid to deepen strategic military ties between both nations.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of IDEF 2025, focused on key areas such as defence industry collaboration, technology transfer, and the acquisition of advanced military hardware.

A statement released by Matawalle’s media aide, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, noted that discussions included procurement of combat vehicles, fighter aircraft, warships, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), radar systems, and comprehensive training and maintenance packages.

Both ministers highlighted the importance of enhancing indigenous defence capabilities and expressed mutual interest in long-term industrial partnerships to foster technological self-reliance.

Dr Matawalle described Türkiye as a reliable partner in Nigeria’s defence modernisation agenda, adding that sustained cooperation would benefit both nations amid global security challenges.

In attendance at the meeting were senior Nigerian defence officials, including Ambassador Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence; AVM Yusuf, representative of the Chief of Air Staff; Major General B.I. Alaya, Director General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON); Brigadier General M.L. Abubakar, Nigerian Defence Attaché to Türkiye; and the Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Meanwhile,IDEF 2025, one of the world’s largest defence exhibitions, began on 22 July and will run until 27 July in Istanbul. The event brings together global defence manufacturers, military officials, and policymakers for international collaboration.