The Government of Nigeria and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, with renewed focus on trade expansion, investment, energy cooperation, and regional security.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known during a bilateral meeting with her German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, in Abuja, describing Germany as one of Nigeria’s most important strategic partners in Europe.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the relationship between both countries has continued to grow across key sectors including trade and investment, renewable energy, education, science and technology, migration, and security. She emphasized the need for stronger global partnerships to address shared challenges such as terrorism, climate change, food insecurity, and economic uncertainty.
She noted that Nigeria is seeking to deepen collaboration with Germany in emerging sectors such as digital innovation, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, and the green economy, in line with efforts to deliver tangible socio-economic benefits.
The minister also highlighted the role of the Nigeria-Germany Bi-national Commission as a cornerstone of bilateral engagement, adding that outcomes from its 2025 session are guiding reforms to improve Nigeria’s investment climate and expand private sector participation.
On regional cooperation, she commended Germany’s continued support for the Economic Community of West African States in promoting peace, democratic governance, and humanitarian assistance, while stressing the importance of sustained collaboration in addressing insecurity across West Africa.
In his remarks, Wadephul underscored the longstanding strategic relationship between both nations, noting that diplomatic ties date back over 65 years. He recalled that Germany opened its embassy in Lagos just days after Nigeria gained independence in 1960, reflecting early commitment to partnership.
The German minister disclosed that Germany remains Nigeria’s largest bilateral trading partner in Europe, revealing that trade volume between both countries grew by 10 per cent in the past year. He added that the Nigeria-Germany Business Forum would continue to play a key role in boosting commercial ties.
Wadephul expressed optimism that his visit would encourage increased investment inflows, stating that more German businesses are expected to explore opportunities in Nigeria, particularly in priority sectors.
He also highlighted Germany’s strong interest in Nigeria’s energy sector and described the Nigeria-Germany Bi-national Commission as functioning effectively in advancing cooperation.
On regional security, Wadephul reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Economic Community of West African States in tackling insecurity driven by terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel region.
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He expressed readiness to work closely with Nigeria to further strengthen bilateral relations and achieve shared goals of economic growth, stability, and sustainable development.
Both ministers expressed confidence that the Abuja meeting would yield concrete outcomes and further solidify the strategic partnership between Nigeria and Germany, in line with the economic reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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