Germany and Nigeria
The German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Guido Westerwelle, will visit the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 2ndto 3rd of November. During his visit, Dr. Westerwelle will hold talks with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Foreign Minister Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru.
German Foreign Minister visits Abuja
Bilateral Relations
Since the return of Nigeria to democracy in 1999, bilateral relations have acquired new momentum. Both President Obasanjo (1999 – 2007) and President Yar’ Adua (2007 – 2010), demonstrated high interest to strengthen ties with Germany. President Jonathan continued this policy of his predecessors.
Germany as a strong partner for Africa in the areas of security and development is certainly fully aware of the importance of Nigeria, and highly appreciates its stabilising role, in particular in the West African region. Common concerns how to safeguard peace and sustainable development in Africa are at the basis of bilateral political exchange. In this regard, Germany welcomed the election of Nigeria to the United Nations Security Council for the period 2010 to 2011, which emphasises Nigeria's international engagement.
The most recent high point in bilateral relations was the Fourth Africa Forum, held in Abuja from 7 to 9 November 2008 as part of the initiative Partnership with Africa under the patronage of the Presidents of both countries at that time, Federal President Köhler and President Yar’Adua. At this Africa Forum, several African Heads of State and Government, eminent politicians, businesspeople and experts from Africa, Germany and other countries held frank discussions on how obstacles on the path to a partnership with Africa can be overcome. Following the Forum, Federal President Köhler and his wife paid an extensive official visit to Nigeria. The presidential couple went from the capital Abuja to the major city of Lagos and to northern Nigeria’s largest city, Kano.
The series of high-level visits between Germany and Nigeria, which began with President Obasanjo’s official visit to Germany in December 1999, gained even greater momentum under the new government of President Yar’Adua. In June 2007, Federal Chancellor Merkel invited President Yar’ Adua to attend the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm as the representative of one of the founding countries of NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development). In August 2007, Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier visited Nigeria, where he held talks with both the government and representatives of civil society; talks on energy issues led to the bilateral energy partnership which was formally agreed in August 2008. In November 2007, President Yar'Adua went to Germany for the Third Africa Forum, and in December 2007 he met Federal Chancellor Merkel again on the sidelines of the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon.
In their bilateral talks, the two countries are concerned not only with intensifying relations, including economic exchange, but also with multilateral issues, notably security and development in Africa as well as questions relating to the African Union, the West African regional organization ECOWAS and the United Nations.
German Political Foundations in Nigeria
For the time being three German Political Foundations are represented in Nigeria. They are private organizations linked to political groupings represented in the German Bundestag (Parliament) and acting in the public interest. They are committed to democratic governance and to the principles of solidarity and tolerance. The Foundations achieve their objectives through programmes of political adult education, dialogue research and international exchange. For more information about each of the Political Foundations represented in Nigeria, please follow the links below.
