By Favour Ulebor, Abuja
Nigeria and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with both countries pledging to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, security, education and other strategic sectors.
The commitment was made on Wednesday in Abuja during a bilateral meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Johann Wadephul.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described Germany as one of Nigeria’s most important strategic partners in Europe, noting that the relationship between both countries has continued to grow through decades of mutual respect, trust and productive cooperation.
She said the partnership extends beyond diplomacy to include trade and investment, development cooperation, renewable energy, education, vocational training, science and technology, migration, culture, peace and security.
The minister said Nigeria remains committed to expanding collaboration with Germany in emerging areas such as renewable energy, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure development and the green economy.
She noted that the Nigeria-Germany Bi-national Commission remains a key platform for advancing bilateral cooperation, adding that the successful 2025 session of the commission reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to expanding cooperation across priority sectors.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria has continued to implement agreed outcomes from the commission by advancing economic reforms aimed at improving the investment climate, strengthening governance, encouraging private sector participation and promoting sustainable economic growth.
She also expressed appreciation for Germany’s support to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly in promoting regional integration, democratic governance, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance and institutional capacity development.
She said Nigeria welcomes Germany’s continued partnership with ECOWAS in addressing terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government and transnational organised crime in the West African region.
On economic cooperation, the minister encouraged greater participation by German businesses in Nigeria’s priority sectors, including renewable energy, manufacturing, critical minerals, transport infrastructure, agriculture, digital technology and industrial development.
Responding, the German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, said the relationship between both countries has remained strategic for more than 65 years, recalling that Germany opened its embassy in Lagos barely three days after Nigeria gained independence in 1960.
Wadephul, who was accompanied by senior government officials and German business representatives, described Nigeria as Germany’s biggest European trading partner bilaterally, noting that trade volume between both countries increased by 10 per cent last year.
He assured that the Nigeria-Germany Business Forum would continue to play a key role in deepening trade and investment ties, adding that his visit would encourage more German investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria.
The German minister also highlighted his country’s interest in Nigeria’s energy sector, stressing that the Nigeria-Germany Bi-national Commission was functioning effectively in advancing cooperation between both countries.
He reiterated Germany’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS in tackling insecurity in the region, particularly threats posed by terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel.
Wadephul expressed readiness to work closely with his Nigerian counterpart to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Nigeria and Germany.