In a significant diplomatic engagement, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON), has concluded high-level bilateral talks with his German counterpart, Minister Johann Wadephul, to strengthen Nigeria–Germany relations across critical sectors including renewable energy, trade, and migration governance.
During the meeting held in Berlin, Germany reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as a strategic partner in sub-Saharan Africa, recognizing it as the region’s second-largest trading partner. Both ministers reviewed the progress of existing partnerships, particularly the German-Nigerian Energy Partnership, established in 2008 and expanded in 2021 with the launch of a hydrogen office in Abuja under Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy.
“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,” Minister Tuggar emphasized. “We are committed to collaborating with partners like Germany on structured job creation initiatives and addressing the root causes of irregular migration.”
Minister Wadephul described Nigeria as a “key partner in Africa,” highlighting opportunities for deeper cooperation in renewable energy, vocational training, critical minerals development, and private sector investment. He underscored Africa’s growing importance to Germany and the European Union, stating: “Africa is the continent of the future, and Nigeria plays a vital role in that vision.”
Ambassador Tuggar also spotlighted Nigeria’s vast reserves of critical raw materials, positioning the country as an essential player in Germany’s green and industrial transition goals. He called for value-added partnerships that would unlock sustainable economic growth for both nations.
Both countries agreed to enhance collaboration on legal migration and skills mobility, prioritizing structured frameworks that foster economic growth while curbing irregular migration.
The visit also featured a bilateral meeting with Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Willem-Alabali Radovan, where discussions centered on expanding economic ties and creating mutually beneficial migration frameworks.
In addition, Minister Tuggar met with Nicolas Zippelius, Chair of the CDU Parliamentary Group on Development Affairs, to discuss legislative avenues for strengthening Nigeria–Germany relations, particularly in areas that could influence policy action within the German Bundestag.
Rounding off his official engagements, Ambassador Tuggar held talks with Professor Lanz Rolla, founder of the Berlin Global Dialogue, where he was formally invited to participate in the 2025 Berlin Global Dialogue scheduled for October. This invitation highlights Nigeria’s increasing influence in global dialogues on governance, sustainable development, and international cooperation.
This renewed diplomatic chapter signals deeper Nigeria–Germany ties built on shared values, sustainable economic partnerships, and regional stability.
