By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
Nigeria and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral relations, with a strong focus on trade, investment, energy cooperation and skilled migration, following the formal presentation of Letters of Credence by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Ita Solomon Enang, to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Palace in Berlin.
The credential ceremony officially marked Ambassador Enang’s assumption of duties as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Germany. He was accompanied by his wife, Deputy Head of Mission Mohammed Bashir Basha, and Head of Chancery Dr. Chioma Aisha Okorie-Haidara.
Following the ceremony, Ambassador Enang and President Steinmeier held high-level bilateral talks, during which both countries reaffirmed the strong diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Germany and pledged to strengthen cooperation across strategic sectors.
Top on the agenda was the expansion of economic and trade relations, with discussions centering on increased German investment in Nigeria, particularly in automobile assembly, industrial development, technology transfer and gas utilisation projects aimed at converting flared gas into electricity.
The two sides also reviewed ongoing collaboration in the energy sector, including the Siemens Power Initiative and off-grid electricity solutions, alongside opportunities to boost agricultural development and critical power infrastructure.
Migration also featured prominently in the discussions, with both countries considering a proposed Nigeria-Germany Migration Agreement designed to create legal pathways for skilled Nigerian professionals in healthcare, engineering, technology, artificial intelligence and other sectors experiencing labour shortages in Germany.
Regional peace and security issues were equally examined, with both sides acknowledging Nigeria’s leadership role within ECOWAS and stressing the importance of renewed engagement with countries in the Sahel region.
The meeting further reviewed Germany’s support for implementing the Green Tree Agreement following the International Court of Justice judgment on the Nigeria-Cameroon boundary, as well as humanitarian concerns affecting communities in the Bakassi Peninsula.
Ambassador Enang also conveyed the appreciation of the Federal Government of Nigeria for Germany’s humanitarian assistance announced during the recent visit of German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to Nigeria, where he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the presentation of credentials and the subsequent bilateral engagement as another significant milestone in Nigeria-Germany relations, saying it reinforces both nations’ shared commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, migration, regional security and sustainable development, “Said a statement by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Friday, in Abuja.
