President Bola Tinubu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Germany, focusing on security, power transmission, and railway development.
The agreement was reached during a telephone conversation between the two leaders on Wednesday afternoon, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Both leaders also expressed willingness to collaborate in creative arts and skills development as part of efforts to deepen bilateral ties.
Speaking on the Presidential Power Initiative, President Tinubu said Nigeria would require assistance to strengthen its power transmission infrastructure.
In response, Chancellor Merz pledged Germany’s support, saying Siemens would be ready to assist, while Deutsche Bank would be willing to finance the project.
The two leaders also expressed concern over the security situation in the Sahel region.
“The Sahel corridor is bad and needs our support. Intelligence support and reconnaissance are needed,” Tinubu was quoted as saying, as he called for the supply of used helicopters to aid intelligence-gathering efforts.
Diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Germany have existed for about 65 years.
Chancellor Merz said Germany was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Nigeria’s new ambassador to Berlin and stressed the importance of cultural cooperation, including the proposed establishment of a Great Museum of African Arts.
The call, which began at 2:01 p.m., ended at about 2:10 p.m., the statement added.
