Yemi Obafemi
President Bola Tinubu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have agreed to deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Germany, with a renewed focus on security, power, railway development, creative arts and skills transfer.
The development was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following a telephone conversation between the two leaders.
According to the statement, both leaders discussed the Presidential Power Initiative and Nigeria’s need for support in strengthening power transmission infrastructure.
Chancellor Merz assured that Siemens would be ready to assist, while Deutsche Bank would be willing to provide financing for the project.
Tinubu and Merz also expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region. The Nigerian President called for the supply of used helicopters to enhance intelligence reconnaissance operations in the region.
“The Sahel corridor is bad and needs our support. Intelligence support reconnaissance is needed,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
The leaders further signalled readiness to collaborate in the creative arts and skill development sectors, with Chancellor Merz highlighting the importance of the arts and advocating for the establishment of the Great Museum of African Arts.
Diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Germany have spanned about 65 years. Merz noted that Germany is looking forward to receiving Nigeria’s new ambassador.
The telephone conversation, which commenced at 2:01 p.m., lasted approximately nine minutes, ending around 2:10 p.m, the statement revealed.
