Nigeria, Germany Cement Relationship as Tinubu Receives President Steinmeier

President Bola Tinubu has reassured German investors that Nigeria is ready to actualize agreements to drive investments in renewable energy, youth skill development, and industrialization. Tinubu spoke on Wednesday while receiving his German counterpart, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who paid a one-day official visit to Abuja.

He cited recent reforms aimed at making the environment business-friendly, including import duty waivers for machinery, decentralization of power generation, and foreign exchange reforms.

“We operate an open-door policy for businesses—ease of entry and exit—with tax reforms and other incentives to support private sector growth,” Tinubu said during a joint press conference after their closed-door discussions.

The Nigerian leader emphasized that Nigeria has great potential in renewable energy, including solar power, and he considers the country a leader among gas producers, calling for expanded collaboration with Germany to enable his country to tap such resources for rural electrification and overall economic development.

“We have the natural resources; Germany has the technology. We can use these opportunities for rural electrification and broader access to energy,” said Tinubu.

He also admitted the rehabilitation currently going on to change Nigeria’s old power infrastructure, adding that though progress is being made, it will take some time. The President mentioned a partnership entered with Siemens Energy as one of such moving energy proposals.

The discussions extended beyond energy, as Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s youth population as a critical asset. He called for the expansion of youth training programs and solid minerals partnerships in order to attract German investment and job opportunities.

“Nigeria’s energetic and market-friendly youth population, along with our industrial and solid mineral potential, presents a great opportunity for German businesses,” he said.

President Steinmeier, in turn, said Germany was determined to further consolidate its relations with Nigeria and pointed out that Nigeria currently ranked as Germany’s second-most important trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.

“German companies view Nigeria as a key business partner, but there is also much more room for partnership. We will work harder on political, cultural, and people-to-people relationships,” Steinmeier added.

He also praised those Nigerians who go for studies in Germany and go back home, referring to them as valuable intermediaries who promote business and cultural contacts.

The German head of state urged the Nigerian youths to explore opportunities available to them in Germany, as bridges must be built between both countries.

The meeting occurs when both countries are striving to increase cooperation in energy, education, trade, and more, through sharing challenges and creating new opportunities.