Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was welcomed Thursday at the Presidential Complex in Ankara by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The two presidents discussed bilateral and international issues during their meeting, after which they held a joint news conference.
Thanking Buhari for his visit despite busy schedule, Erdoğan stressed that due to its population, economy and potential Nigeria was an important global actor.
- TURKEY SEES NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FETO, DAESH, BOKO HARAM -
Turkey's president said on Thursday that he sees no difference between terrorists groups such as Daesh, the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) -- the group behind last year's defeated coup attempt in Turkey -- and Boko Haram, a terrorist group that has plagued Nigeria.
At a joint press conference at the presidential complex in the capital Ankara alongside his visiting Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "I would like to express that there is no difference between FETO, Daesh, and Boko Haram, no matter what they serve or claim or their name-all of them are gangs of murderers who feed on the blood of innocents."
Boko Haram, a Daesh-affiliated group based in northeastern Nigeria, has killed tens of thousands and displaced 2.3 million from their homes, according to Amnesty International and the UN, and was ranked the world's deadliest terror group by the 2015 Global Terrorism Index.
He said: "Turkey and Nigeria have suffered the same fate on terrorism. Boko Haram terror has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people and the oppressed in Nigeria. Some 1.5 million people have been displaced in the northeastern side due to this terror group."
"We stand by our Nigerian friends on their fight against terrorism," he said.
He said Turkey is ready to share its experience and give all kinds of support for combatting terrorism.
Erdoğan reiterated that the fight against FETO is not just for Turkey, but helps Turkey's friends as well.
Erdoğan also urged Nigeria to take steps on shutting down FETO-run schools in the country and to coordinate with Turkey to fight the terrorist group.
"We are very well aware that FETO institutions do not serve the people of the country but [instead] recruits militants for itself," he added.
FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
FETO also has a considerable global presence, including private educational institutions in Africa that serve as a revenue stream for the terrorist group.
Turkey is trying to take over all FETO-affiliated schools across Africa through its Maarif Foundation, including such schools in Nigeria.
- FULL SOLIDARITY WITH NIGERIA -
"We are in full solidarity with Nigeria. We have exchanged ideas on many topics, especially defense and education, during our earlier meeting. We had an opportunity to discuss our steps for the future," Erdoğan said.
Turning to the issue of economic cooperation, Erdoğan said that Turkey and Nigeria aim to reach a trade volume of $245 million.
"Turkish businessmen are ready to take part in the development of Nigeria. Nigeria is one of the most important power centers of the entire continent with a population of 182 million. It also has a very dynamic economy. [Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency] TIKA is planning to open an office in Nigeria," Erdoğan said.
- 'TURKISH BUSINESSPEOPLE SHOULD EXPLORE NIGERIA' -
Also speaking to reporters, Buhari said, "There is a lot of potential for investment" in his country, adding that much has already been much done in the areas of education and healthcare services.
He also urged Turkish businesspeople to look into Nigeria's potential.
- D-8 ECONOMIES MEETING -
Buhari is scheduled to attend the Developing-8 Countries (D-8) meeting in Istanbul on Friday.
The ninth summit marks the 20th anniversary of the economic group made up of eight emerging economies from the Muslim world.
The organization was established on June 15, 1997 by Turkey, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria and Pakistan.
Today, the organization has a combined GDP of $3.7 trillion and includes more than one billion people -- around 15 percent of the world's population.
Two of its members -- Turkey and Indonesia -- are among the group of the world's 20 biggest economies.
