Joseph Bakare
Nigeria and Germany have expressed interest and commitment to further strengthen cooperation across key sectors.
The bilateral discussions was made shortly after Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany Ita Solomon Enang, OFR, presented his Letters of Credence to the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Berlin.
The Ambassador and spouse were accompanied by the Deputy Head of Mission, Mohammed Bashir Basha, the Head of Chancery, Chioma Aisha Okorie-Haidara, Ph.D.
Following the presentation of credentials, Ambassador Enang held bilateral discussions with President Steinmeier during which both sides reaffirmed the excellent relations between
Discussions focused on expanding economic and trade relations, energy cooperation, agriculture, power infrastructure, including the Siemens Power Initiative and off-grid technologies, migration and consular matters, as well as a proposed Nigeria-Germany Migration Agreement to facilitate legal pathways for skilled Nigerian professionals in healthcare, technology, engineering, artificial intelligence and other critical sectors of the German economy.
The meeting also explored opportunities for increased German investment in Nigeria, particularly in automobile assembly, industrial development, technology transfer and gas utilisation projects aimed at converting flared gas into electricity. Regional peace and security, Nigeria’s leadership role in ECOWAS, and the importance of renewed engagement with Sahelian States were equally discussed.
Both sides further reviewed Germany’s support for the implementation of the Green Tree Agreement following the International Court of Justice judgment on the Nigeria-Cameroon boundary, as well as humanitarian issues arising from the Bakassi Peninsula.
Ambassador Enang conveyed the appreciation of the Federal Government of Nigeria for Germany’s humanitarian assistance recently announced during the visit of the German Federal Foreign Minister, Mr. Johann Wadephul, to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes this important milestone, which further reinforces the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and Germany and reaffirms the commitment of both countries to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, migration, regional security and sustainable development.