GERMANY has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening partnership with Nigeria in recognition of the country’s strategic partner in sub-Saharan Africa.
The country also described Nigeria as its second largest trading partner in the African region.
German Foreign Affairs Minister, Johann Wadephul, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, against backdrop of the conclusion of the high-level bilateral talks with his counterpart, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Berlin.
The talks were aimed at deepening Nigeria–Germany relations across key sectors, including energy, trade and migration governance.
The two ministers reviewed progress in bilateral engagements, particularly German-Nigerian Energy Partnership established in 2008 and expanded in 2021 with the opening of a hydrogen office in Abuja under Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy.
Speaking during the talks, Tuggar emphasised Nigeria’s economic and demographic significance, saying “With over 220 million people and projections to reach 400 million by 2050, Nigeria’s focus is not to export people, but to export talent.
“We are committed to working with partners like Germany on structured pathways for job creation and to address the root causes of irregular migration.”
The minister said Nigeria was endowed with abundance of critical raw materials, which present it as a compelling opportunity for mutually beneficial trade and investment.
“Nigeria is well-positioned to support Germany’s industrial and green transition goals. Our minerals, if developed through value-added partnerships, can be a foundation for sustainable growth on both sides,” Tuggar said.
The ministers agreed to further deepen cooperation between the two countries on legal migration and skills mobility with focus on creating structured migration frameworks that benefit them.
The engagement marked renewed chapter in Nigeria–Germany relations that is underpinned by shared values, economic cooperation, commitment to sustainable development and regional stability.
Tuggar on sideline of the visit held several strategic meetings aimed at further deepening Nigeria-Germany cooperation in economic development, migration and global engagement.
Tuggar met with Nicolas Zippelius, Member of the German Parliament and newly appointed Chair of the CDU Parliamentary Group on Development Affairs.
Highpoint of the visit was bilateral meeting with the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Radovan, discussions on expanding economic cooperation, enhancing development partnerships and structured legal-pathways for migration.
Both ministers affirmed the importance of aligning economic development with mutually beneficial migration frameworks that support job creation and skills mobility.
Their discussions explored legislative opportunities for enhanced collaboration between Nigeria and Germany, particularly in areas that could be translated into parliamentary advisories and policy actions within the Bundestag.
