Business
Turkey–Nigeria Cultural Relations Strengthen as 76 Artifacts Are Identified for Return
Joel Ajayi
The Republic of Türkiye has identified 76 wooden and metal artifacts believed to belong to Nigeria, paving the way for their repatriation and potentially strengthening cultural ties between the two nations. The Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, HE Mehmet Poroy, made this known on Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Hon Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa Esq., in Abuja.
Ambassador Poroy stated that discussions for their return will commence immediately the Nigerian government officially identifies and claims ownership of the objects. He also expressed hope that a cultural cooperation agreement between Turkey and Nigeria could be signed during the upcoming visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Turkey.
“Our minister of Culture and tourism has identified 76 wooden and metal objects that they think might belong to Nigeria. We received information about these artifacts last May and we are eager to see them returned to Nigeria. “We hope to sign a cultural cooperation agreement during the upcoming visit of Nigeria’s President to Turkey. We are committed to promoting cultural understanding and cooperation between our nations,” he said.
Ambassador Poroy discussed plans to establish a cultural center in Nigeria to promote traditional arts and educate young Nigerian women. He invited Nigerian officials to upcoming cultural events, including a photo exhibition and Turkish coffee chat.
In her response, Minister Musawa emphasized the importance of finalizing the cultural cooperation agreement, urging officials to expedite the process. The Minister highlighted Nigeria’s interest in collaborating with Turkey on film industry projects, cultural exchanges, and empowering women in fashion. She emphasized Nigeria’s role in global cultural dialogue, particularly within the Global South, and the potential for Turkey-Nigeria partnership to promote cultural understanding and economic growth.
“This is a golden opportunity for both countries to strengthen cultural diplomacy. Nigeria is the gateway to talking to the black global community, purely because of our numbers and strength of expression. We urge officials to expedite the process of finalizing the cultural cooperation agreement.”
The identification of the artifacts and the ongoing discussions underscore the commitment of both countries to strengthen cultural diplomacy and explore new areas of collaboration. Nigeria sees this as an opportunity to reclaim its cultural heritage and promote economic growth through cultural tourism.
Agriculture
PULA, Leadway Assurance Disburse ₦396 Million to Climate-Affected Farmers, Strengthen Food Security Efforts
In a major intervention to shield smallholder farmers from climate shocks, agri-insurtech firm PULA has spearheaded the disbursement of ₦396,697,672 in insurance claims to over 40,000 farmers impacted during the 2025 wet season.
The payout, executed in partnership with Leadway Assurance and supported by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), covered farmers across Taraba, Borno, Kaduna, and Plateau States who suffered climate-related losses.
The initiative was made possible in part by Bayer Foundation, whose $450,000 premium subsidy support in 2025 wet season helped lower the cost of insurance for thousands of vulnerable smallholders in 8 states, with 4 states receiving payouts. The Foundation is set to scale up its contribution to match the growing aspirations of state governments.
Speaking at the cheque presentation ceremony in Abuja during the 2025 Wet Season Insurance Claims Payout under the National Agribusiness Planning Mechanism (NAPM), PULA’s Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Michael Enahoro, said the initiative goes beyond compensation, insisting that it’s about securing Nigeria’s food systems.
“Our focus is not just on payouts but on increasing food production. We must continue to support farmers who work tirelessly under harsh conditions to feed the nation,” Dr. Enahoro said. He called for stronger policies that directly impact farmers and reaffirmed PULA’s commitment to expanding agricultural insurance as a tool for resilience.
PULA’s data-driven approach to climate risk was key to identifying affected farmers and triggering payments. The company worked with Leadway Assurance to underwrite the risk, while PFSCU aligned the program with the national food security agenda. State governments also supported grassroots enrollment.
Gboyega Lesi, MD/CEO of Leadway Assurance, described the payout as “a reinforcement of a safety net that protects the hard work of thousands of farmers,” adding that “through climate insurance, we ensure that a bad season does not translate into total loss of livelihood.” He commended PULA’s technology and field structure for making rapid, transparent payouts possible.
Ayoola Fatona, Global Head of Agric Solutions at Leadway Assurance, noted that the 2025 wet season brought significant climate variability and yield fluctuations. “The true value of insurance lies in claims payment, especially in challenging periods. Our data-driven partnership with PULA helped mitigate losses,” he said.
Looking ahead, PULA and Leadway Assurance plan to scale coverage to 73,000 farmers in the 2026 farming season, deepening penetration of climate insurance across Nigeria’s food-producing belts.
Commissioners from the beneficiary states commended PULA and Leadway Assurance for de-risking agriculture, restoring farmers’ confidence, and building a more resilient agricultural sector
State-by-state breakdown of claims facilitated by PULA:
- Taraba State: ₦154,308,035
- Borno State: ₦127,192,472
- Kaduna State: ₦69,726,150
- Plateau State: ₦45,471,015
Total: ₦396.7 million.
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