Nigeria, Türkiye sign MoU on family cohesion and social welfare

Nigeria, Türkiye sign MoU on family cohesion and social welfare

Nigeria and Türkiye have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening family cohesion, social welfare and inclusive development.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in Ankara by Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and Türkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş. The signing took place during President Bola Tinubu’s official state visit to Türkiye.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued by the Head of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, Ahmed Lawan Danbazau.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the MoU was the outcome of more than a year of engagements between both countries and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration. She said the ministry is committed to accelerating programmes that will positively impact 50 million Nigerians by 2030.

She explained that the agreement focuses on strengthening families through the development of Nigeria’s first National Action Plan on Families, with the care economy identified as a key support framework.

The MoU also targets women’s empowerment through entrepreneurship development, improved socio-economic opportunities and mentoring systems, while strengthening child protection mechanisms to prevent neglect and abuse.

Other areas of cooperation include promoting the social inclusion of persons with disabilities and supporting active and dignified ageing for senior citizens.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim described the agreement as a commitment by both countries to place the family at the centre of national development, adding that Nigeria and Türkiye will begin exchanging experts and best practices to ensure the policies translate into measurable benefits for households.