Germany has announced plans to expand investment in Nigeria while reaffirming its support for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in tackling terrorism and violent extremism across West Africa.
The commitment followed talks in Abuja on Wednesday between Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and Germany's Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul. The discussions centred on trade, investment, energy cooperation and regional security.
Wadephul, who was accompanied by senior government officials and business leaders, said the Nigeria-Germany Business Forum would continue to promote commercial ties and attract more German investment into Nigeria.
He noted that Nigeria remains Germany's largest bilateral trading partner in Europe, with trade between both countries growing by 10 per cent over the past year.
"As Nigeria's biggest European trading partner bilaterally, the volume of trade grew by 10 per cent last year," Wadephul said.
"With my visit, many more German investors will be investing in the country."
He also identified Nigeria's energy sector as an area of growing interest and said the Nigeria-Germany Bilateral Commission was performing optimally in advancing cooperation between both countries.
On regional security, Wadephul reaffirmed Germany's continued backing for ECOWAS as it confronts terrorism and violent extremism, particularly in the Sahel.
Recalling the long-standing relationship between both nations, he noted that Germany established its embassy in Lagos just three days after Nigeria gained independence in 1960 and expressed optimism about working with Odumegwu-Ojukwu to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described Germany as one of Nigeria's most important strategic partners in Europe, saying cooperation has expanded beyond diplomacy to include trade and investment, development cooperation, renewable energy, education, vocational training, science and technology, migration, culture, peace and security.
She said Nigeria remains committed to deepening collaboration in renewable energy, digital innovation, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure development and the green economy.
Describing the Nigeria-Germany Bi-national Commission as "the cornerstone of our bilateral engagement," the minister said its successful 2025 session reaffirmed both countries' commitment to expanding cooperation across key sectors.
She also commended Germany for its longstanding support for ECOWAS in promoting regional integration, democratic governance, peace-building, conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance and institutional capacity development.
According to the minister, evolving threats from terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government and transnational organised crime have made sustained international partnerships increasingly important.
She welcomed Germany's continued collaboration with ECOWAS and expressed Nigeria's desire for closer cooperation in advancing regional peace, security and economic resilience.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also urged German businesses to take advantage of Nigeria's ongoing economic reforms by investing in renewable energy, manufacturing, critical minerals, transport infrastructure, agriculture, digital technology and industrial development.
She expressed confidence that the Abuja discussions would produce practical outcomes that would further strengthen relations between Nigeria and Germany while benefiting the citizens of both countries.
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