The German Embassy in Nigeria has announced that the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, will undertake a state visit to Nigeria from December 10 to 12, 2024.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the embassy highlighted the significance of the visit in reaffirming the strong bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Germany. The visit is also intended to express Germany’s appreciation of Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa and beyond.
The statement noted: “Following the visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Nigeria in October 2023 and the visit of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to Germany in November 2023, President Steinmeier’s visit marks the third high-level exchange between the two countries since President Tinubu’s inauguration. This underscores the close ties and shared interests that position Nigeria and Germany as strategic partners.”
President Steinmeier will be accompanied by a high-profile business delegation comprising CEOs and senior executives from leading German companies specializing in IT, high-tech, and energy. This reflects the growing interest of German businesses in exploring investment opportunities in Nigeria.
During his visit, President Steinmeier is scheduled to meet with President Tinubu and Dr. Alieu Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission. He will also travel to Lagos, where his engagements will include discussions with business leaders, visits to a start-up hub, and interactions with representatives from Nigeria’s cultural and civil society sectors.
The itinerary in Lagos includes a visit to the renowned Nike Art Gallery, where he will meet its founder, Dr. Nike Okundaye (Mama Nike), and a meeting with Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka. The German President will also participate in a city tour to gain insights into Lagos’s urban development, focusing on its environmental and social challenges.
The German Embassy emphasized that the visit showcases Germany’s commitment to deepening its relationship with Nigeria, stating: “This high frequency of visits reflects Germany’s recognition of Nigeria as a key partner in Africa. Both nations, as the largest economies and most populous countries on their respective continents, are natural allies with significant opportunities for collaboration.”
The German President, whose role is primarily representative and symbolic, will use the visit to foster dialogue and strengthen bilateral cooperation. The embassy concluded: “We look forward to continued collaboration and the further enhancement of our vital partnership with Nigeria.”
