Nigeria and Germany have reaffirmed commitment to strengthen strategic cooperation in renewable energy, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and trade, as both countries hailed 65 years of diplomatic relations and rising economic engagement.
The pledge was made on July 22, 2026, during a bilateral meeting in Abuja between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Johann Wadephul.
Welcoming the German delegation, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu described Germany as “one of Nigeria's most important strategic partners in Europe,” noting that bilateral relations now extend beyond diplomacy to trade and investment, development cooperation, education, vocational training, science and technology, migration, culture, peace and security.
“Our partnership has become even more significant at a time when the international community is confronted with multiple and interconnected challenges, including geopolitical tensions, terrorism, violent extremism, and climate change, irregular migration, food insecurity and economic uncertainty,” she said.
The Minister said Nigeria is keen to deepen collaboration in emerging areas such as renewable energy, digital innovation, AI, critical minerals, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and the green economy.
She highlighted economic diplomacy as a key pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, and urged greater German business participation in Nigeria’s priority sectors.
“We have continued to advance economic reforms aimed at improving the investment climate, strengthening governance, expanding opportunities for private sector participation and promoting sustainable economic growth,” she stated.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also commended the Nigeria-German Bi-national Commission, saying the successful 2025 session provided “a practical roadmap for advancing our strategic partnership.” She looked forward to the next session to review progress and identify new areas of cooperation.
On regional security, the Minister appreciated Germany’s longstanding support for ECOWAS in promoting regional integration, democratic governance, peace-building and conflict prevention.
She noted that with threats from terrorism and unconstitutional changes of government in the Sahel, “sustained international partnerships remain indispensable.”
In his remarks, Minister Wadephul noted that Germany opened its Embassy in Lagos just three days after Nigeria’s independence in 1960, and that the relationship has grown steadily since.
He disclosed that Germany remains Nigeria’s biggest European trading partner bilaterally, with trade volume growing by 10 per cent last year.
“As Nigeria's biggest European trading partner bilaterally, the volume of trade grew by 10 per cent last year,” Wadephul said.
He assured that the Nigeria-Germany Business Forum will continue to deepen trade, and that his visit would attract more German investors into the country.
He also expressed Germany’s interest in Nigeria’s energy sector and said the Bilateral Commission was “performing optimally.”
Wadephul reiterated Germany’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS in tackling insecurity caused by terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel, and said he looks forward to working closely with Nigeria to bolster the strategic relationship.
Both ministers expressed confidence that the discussions would produce practical outcomes for both governments and peoples.
The meeting comes as Nigeria pushes to position itself as Africa’s largest economy and investment destination, while Germany seeks stronger partnerships in Africa’s green economy and digital transformation.