By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Nigeria and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, with both countries pledging closer cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy, security, education and regional stability during high-level talks in Abuja.
Welcoming the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Johann Wadephul, and his delegation, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described Germany as one of Nigeria’s most important strategic partners in Europe, noting that the relationship has continued to grow through decades of mutual respect, trust and productive cooperation.
The minister said the partnership extends beyond diplomacy to include trade and investment, development cooperation, renewable energy, science and technology, vocational education, migration, culture, peace and security.
She expressed appreciation for Germany’s continued support for Nigeria’s development aspirations and its commitment to promoting peace, stability and prosperity across West Africa.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that both countries face common global challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, climate change, food insecurity, irregular migration and economic uncertainty, stressing that stronger international partnerships are essential to addressing them.
She said Nigeria remains committed to strengthening ties with Germany in ways that deliver tangible benefits to both countries, while identifying renewable energy, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure development, manufacturing and the green economy as priority areas for expanded collaboration.
The minister described the Nigeria-Germany Bi-national Commission as the cornerstone of bilateral relations, stating that the outcomes of its 2025 session have continued to guide cooperation between both nations. She added that Nigeria has implemented key reforms aimed at improving the investment climate, strengthening governance and encouraging greater private sector participation.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also commended Germany for its longstanding support for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly in promoting regional integration, democratic governance, peace-building, conflict prevention and institutional development.
She encouraged greater participation by German businesses in Nigeria’s priority sectors under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, while calling for expanded collaboration in education, research, innovation and technical and vocational training to equip young Nigerians with globally competitive skills.
In his remarks, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul highlighted the enduring strategic partnership between both countries, which he said spans more than 65 years.
He recalled that Germany established its embassy in Lagos just three days after Nigeria gained independence in 1960, underscoring the long history of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Wadephul disclosed that Germany remains Nigeria’s largest bilateral trading partner in Europe, revealing that trade between both countries increased by 10 per cent last year.
He assured that the Nigeria-Germany Business Forum would continue to strengthen commercial relations and disclosed that his visit, accompanied by senior government officials and business leaders, would encourage increased German investment in Nigeria.
The German minister also reaffirmed his country’s interest in Nigeria’s energy sector and expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Nigeria-Germany Bi-national Commission.
On regional security, Wadephul reiterated Germany’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS in addressing terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel, while expressing optimism about working closely with Nigeria to further strengthen the strategic partnership between both countries.
