German President Steinmeier arrives Nigeria on State Visit

On Tuesday evening, the President of Germany arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja’s Presidential Wing. Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, received him upon his arrival.

President Steinmeier’s trip is intended to highlight the enduring bond between Nigeria and Germany and to express Germany’s appreciation of Nigeria.

Steinmeier, during his visit, is expected to meet with President Bola Tinubu, as well as with the President of the Commission of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dr. Alieu Omar Touray.

He will then proceed to Lagos, where he will engage with business representatives, visit a start-up hub and meet with members of Nigeria’s culture sector and civil society.

A statement by the German embassy in Nigeria said: “Following the visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Nigeria in October 2023 and the visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Germany in November 2023, President Steinmeier’s visit is the third exchange between both countries on the level of head of state or government since President Tinubu’s inauguration.

“This high frequency of visits is proof of the close relations between both countries and the serious interest of Germany in Nigeria.

“It is also evidence of a willingness to work together as strategic partners – an obvious fit, as both countries share striking commonalities, including being the strongest economy and the most populous country on their respective continents.”

The statement revealed that: “President Steinmeier will be accompanied by a business delegation of CEOs and high-ranking board members of some of Germany’s most successful companies in the fields of IT, high- tech and energy – an indication of the rising interest of German businesses in opportunities to invest in Nigeria.”

The German President will further meet with Dr. Nike Okundaye, popularly known as Mama Nike, of the Nike Art Gallery, and the legendary author and Nobel Laureate for Literature, Prof. Wole Soyinka, among other important Nigerian personalities.

There will also be an opportunity to tour the city of Lagos and gain insights into the urban development of a megacity, including environmental and social challenges