German President Steinmeier begins three-day official visit to Nigeria Dec. 10

The German President, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, is set to arrive in Nigeria on December 10 for a three-day official visit, marking the third high-level exchange between the two countries since President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration.

Persecondnews reports that Steinmeier’s visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties, deepen economic partnerships, and celebrate cultural connections between Nigeria and Germany.

During his stay, Steinmeier will be accompanied by industry captains and top-ranking board members of successful German companies in the fields of IT, high tech, and energy.

This delegation underscores Germany’s growing interest in Nigerian investment opportunities.

Steinmeier is scheduled to meet with President Tinubu and Dr. Alieu Omar Touray, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, to discuss long-term partnerships and address pressing social and economic issues.

In addition to his official meetings, Steinmeier will also engage with Nigeria’s cultural sector, meeting with renowned artist Dr. Nike Okundaye, popularly known as Mama Nike, and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, during his visit to Lagos.

Persecondnews recalls that in October, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was received by President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Both leaders met at the 18th G20 Summit in India, where the German helmsman told Tinubu:“We acknowledge the business-friendly reforms you have put in place. I am happy to inform you of my desire to visit you in Nigeria in October, which will allow us to carry forward these initiatives.”

In November 2008, German President Horst Koehler was received by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua in Abuja.

Also, the immediate past Chancellor, Angela Merkel, was the first head of state outside Africa to visit Nigeria after Goodluck Jonathan’s election in 2011.

She returned in August 2018 to meet his successor, President Muhammadu Buhari.

In 2016, then-President Christian Wulff’s visit to Nigeria led to the signing of several agreements in areas such as energy, trade, and culture.