Description: Nigeria’s defense minister, Christopher Musa, traveled to Ankara, where he concluded a defense partnership agreement with Turkey. Musa stated that training, production of military equipment and other forms of defense cooperation were agreed. He added that more than 200 members of Nigeria’s special forces units would be sent to Turkey for training, while drone manufacturing and other equipment would be also delivered to Nigeria. Nigeria is engaged in fighting a 17 – year jihadist insurgency with terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa province, while also handling low – scale separatist insurgencies and violence between tribesmen and herdsmen.
Impact: With the US effectively excluded from providing assistance to Nigeria’s military and security forces, the country is likely seeking to establish defense partnerships with other countries in order to tackle the threats from terrorists more effectively. Turkey likely aims to establish a firm presence in Africa and expand the outreach of its domestic defense market in conflict – laden countries such as Nigeria. The partnership, depending on the scale of evolution would likely provide Nigeria with a firm basis to improve its defensive and offensive capabilities to tackle insurgencies and other domestic security threats. Immediate progress is highly unlikely, however, Nigeria would benefit in the long – term from Turkey’s drones, military training and various modern and cost – effective equipment.