Germany has reiterated its dedication to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria, recognising the country as a key strategic ally in sub-Saharan Africa and its second-largest trading partner in the region.
German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Johann Wadephul, made this known in a statement on Friday following the conclusion of high-level bilateral talks with his Nigerian counterpart, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, in Berlin.
The statement, issued by Alkasim Abdulkadir, Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to Minister Tuggar, emphasised that Germany-Nigeria relations are founded on mutual respect.
The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation across key sectors, including energy, trade, and migration governance. Both ministers reviewed progress made under existing partnerships, notably the German-Nigerian Energy Partnership, which was initiated in 2008 and expanded in 2021 with the establishment of a hydrogen office in Abuja under Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy.
“Nigeria is a key partner in Africa,” said Wadephul. “Berlin is keen to expand collaboration, particularly in renewable energy, vocational training, and economic diversification. For both Germany and the European Union, Africa is the continent of the futurea, nd Nigeria plays a central role in that vision. There are significant opportunities for cooperation in critical minerals, the energy transition, and private sector engagement.”
During the talks, Minister Tuggar highlighted Nigeria’s economic and demographic importance, stating: “With over 220 million people, and projections to reach 400 million by 2050—Nigeria’s goal is not to export people, but to export talent. We are committed to working with partners like Germany on structured pathways to job creation and addressing the root causes of irregular migration.”
Tuggar emphasised Nigeria’s wealth of critical raw materials, positioning the country as a compelling destination for mutually beneficial trade and investment. “Nigeria is well-placed to support Germany’s industrial and green transition ambitions. Our mineral resources, if harnessed through value-added partnerships, can lay the foundation for sustainable growth for both nations,” he stated.
The ministers agreed to deepen collaboration on legal migration and skills mobility, with a shared focus on developing structured migration frameworks that benefit both countries.
The engagement marked a renewed chapter in Nigeria–Germany relations, grounded in shared values, economic cooperation, and a mutual commitment to sustainable development and regional stability.
Also Read: Nigeria, Germany Unveil Climate-Smart Housing Initiative
On the sidelines of the visit, Minister Tuggar held several strategic meetings aimed at further enhancing cooperation in economic development, migration, and global engagement. He met with Nicolas Zippelius, a member of the German Bundestag and recently appointed Chair of the CDU Parliamentary Group on Development Affairs, as well as Professor Lanz Rolla, Founder of the Berlin Global Dialogue.
During his meeting with Prof. Rolla, Tuggar received a formal invitation to participate in the 2025 Berlin Global Dialogue in October, highlighting Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping global discourse on governance, development, and international cooperation.
A key highlight of the visit was a bilateral meeting with the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Radovan. Their discussions centred on expanding economic cooperation, enhancing development partnerships, and establishing structured legal pathways for migration.
Both ministers stressed the importance of aligning economic development goals with migration frameworks that promote job creation and skills exchange. They also explored legislative avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation, with the aim of translating shared priorities into parliamentary advisories and actionable policies within the German Bundestag.
