Manny Ita
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is concluding a landmark state visit to the Republic of Türkiye today, Thursday, January 29, 2026, aimed at consolidating bilateral cooperation in defense, energy, and technology. The visit, which began on Monday, featured high-level discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in areas including scientific research and military protocol. Addressing the success of the mission, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated that the visit was focused on “strengthening the existing cordial relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye and exploring further areas of cooperation to advance a mutually beneficial partnership.”
Domestically, the administration faces sharp criticism from within the legislative branch. Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) alleged in a televised interview on Wednesday that the President has been “sidelined” from his political base by a new inner circle of advisers. Ndume claimed that many of the President’s current aides “don’t know anybody” and lack a grassroots connection, warning that “anybody that tells you that the North is not grumbling now is not telling the truth.” These remarks coincide with ongoing debates over the 2025 Tax Reform Laws, which some lawmakers claim contain discrepancies between the versions passed by the National Assembly and the documents signed by the President.
Amidst these diplomatic and political developments, the President officially commiserated with the people of Lagos State this morning following the passing of industrialist Chief Adekunle Ojora at the age of 93. In a statement released on January 29, 2026, the President described Ojora’s death as “a significant loss to the country, the private and public sectors, and our traditional institutions,” noting that the late business titan “remained a towering figure in Nigeria’s corporate and public space for decades.” Meanwhile, in Abuja, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, reaffirmed today that the administration’s “ambition to build a $1 trillion digital economy is not rhetoric,” citing the strengthening of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission as a vital step toward that goal.
The Presidency also moved today to dismiss social media controversy surrounding a minor stumble by the President during a ceremonial march-past in Ankara on Tuesday. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, relayed that Turkish officials viewed the media focus on the slip as “silly and mischievous,” emphasizing instead that the “incredible success of the visit” was the primary focus of Turkish mainstream media. The President is expected to depart Ankara for Abuja later today at the conclusion of his official engagements.
