Nigeria, Germany pledge stronger trade, energy, security cooperation

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

Nigeria and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, with both countries pledging stronger cooperation in trade, investment, energy, security, education and other strategic areas.

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 relations between both countries had grown over decades through mutual respect, trust and 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 was committed to expanding collaboration with Germany in emerging sectors such as renewable energy, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure development and the green economy.

She identified the Nigeria-Germany Bi-national Commission as a key platform for advancing bilateral cooperation, noting that the successful 2025 session of the commission reaffirmed both countries’ resolve to expand partnerships across priority areas.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria had continued to implement agreements reached through the commission by pursuing economic reforms aimed at improving the investment climate, strengthening governance, encouraging private sector participation and promoting sustainable growth.

She also commended Germany’s support to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly in the areas of regional integration, democratic governance, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance and institutional development.

The minister welcomed Germany’s continued partnership with ECOWAS in addressing terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government and transnational organised crime in West Africa.

On economic relations, she urged increased participation by German companies in Nigeria’s priority sectors, including renewable energy, manufacturing, critical minerals, transport infrastructure, agriculture, digital technology and industrial development.

Responding, Wadephul said the relationship between Nigeria and Germany had remained strategic for more than 65 years, recalling that Germany established its embassy in Lagos shortly after Nigeria gained independence in 1960.

The German minister, who was accompanied by senior officials and business representatives, described Nigeria as Germany’s biggest trading partner in Europe, adding that trade volume between both countries increased by 10 per cent last year.

He said the Nigeria-Germany Business Forum would continue to serve as a platform for strengthening trade and investment ties, adding that his visit would encourage more German investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria.

Wadephul also expressed Germany’s interest in Nigeria’s energy sector, noting that the Nigeria-Germany Bi-national Commission had continued to provide an effective framework for cooperation.

He reiterated Germany’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS in tackling insecurity in the region, particularly terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel.

The German foreign minister pledged to work closely with his Nigerian counterpart to further strengthen the strategic partnership between both countries.

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