Germany has reiterated its commitment to strengthening its bilateral relationship with Nigeria, describing the West African nation as a strategic partner and its second-largest trading ally in Africa.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made this known in Berlin during high-level bilateral talks with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar. The meeting, aimed at expanding collaboration across critical sectors, was followed by a statement issued by Tuggar’s media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Wadephul emphasized that the foundation of Germany-Nigeria relations is built on mutual respect and shared interests, adding that Berlin is eager to deepen cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, vocational training, and economic diversification.
“Nigeria is a key partner in Africa. For both Germany and the European Union, Africa is the continent of the future and Nigeria plays a vital role in that vision,” Wadephul stated. “There are tremendous opportunities for collaboration in energy transition, critical minerals, and private sector engagement.”
The two countries reviewed the progress of their ongoing partnership, including the German-Nigerian Energy Partnership, which was launched in 2008 and expanded in 2021 through the opening of a hydrogen office in Abuja. The hydrogen initiative is part of Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy and marks a deepening of cooperation in clean energy.
Minister Tuggar, in his remarks, highlighted Nigeria’s economic and demographic potential, stressing the country’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to global development through talent and innovation.
“With a population exceeding 220 million and projected to reach 400 million by 2050, Nigeria is not focused on exporting people, but on exporting talent,” he said. “We are working with partners like Germany to create structured job opportunities that address the root causes of irregular migration.”
Tuggar also pointed to Nigeria’s vast reserves of critical raw materials, noting that value-added processing and responsible trade could serve as a cornerstone for sustainable growth between both nations.
“Nigeria is well-positioned to support Germany’s green and industrial transition. Our minerals, if harnessed through strategic partnerships, can unlock shared economic benefits,” he added.
A major focus of the discussions was the development of structured legal migration pathways and skills mobility programs. Both countries agreed on the need for frameworks that align migration with job creation, education, and mutual development goals.
During his visit, Tuggar held several strategic meetings to broaden Nigeria–Germany cooperation in areas such as economic development, migration, and global policy engagement.
He met with Nicolas Zippelius, Chair of the CDU Parliamentary Group on Development Affairs in the German Bundestag, and Lanz Rolla, founder of the Berlin Global Dialogue. Tuggar was formally invited to participate in the 2025 edition of the Berlin Global Dialogue, highlighting Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping global conversations on governance, development, and international cooperation.
A key highlight of the visit was a bilateral meeting with Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Radovan. Their talks centered on expanding economic partnerships and creating legal migration structures that promote skills development and mobility.
Both ministers affirmed the need to align migration strategies with economic development goals and agreed to explore legislative opportunities for deeper collaboration. These initiatives, they said, could inform policy and parliamentary advisory actions within the German Bundestag.
The engagement marks a new chapter in the Nigeria-Germany relationship driven by shared values, a commitment to regional stability, and mutual aspirations for sustainable development.
