German President Steinmeier Meets Tinubu in Closed-Door Discussion at Presidential Villa

President Bola Tinubu and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier are presently engaged in a private meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Steinmeier’s state visit to Abuja represents another significant milestone in the six decades of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Germany.

Steinmeier, having arrived in Abuja on Tuesday evening, was officially welcomed by Tinubu at the Villa’s Forecourt around 11:06 am.

Soon after the reception, a brief ceremony occurred featuring performances of both countries’ national anthems. This was followed by an inspection of the Guard of Honour presented by the Presidential Brigade of Guards.

A 21-gun salute ensued before Tinubu and Steinmeier proceeded to the President’s office for private discussions.

The visit by the German leader features a delegation comprising CEOs and senior executives from leading German companies specializing in IT and energy.

During his time in Nigeria, Steinmeier plans to meet with business leaders, explore a start-up hub, and connect with notable cultural personalities like Dr. Nike Okundaye and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.

A planned visit to Lagos will provide him with a chance to gain deeper insights into the city’s urban development, focusing on the environmental and social challenges faced by one of Africa’s largest megacities.

Steinmeier’s visit upholds the tradition of diplomatic interactions between Germany and Nigeria.

He is the second German leader to visit Nigeria in 14 months, following Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trip in October 2023. Tinubu had earlier participated in the G20 Compact with Africa Economic Conference at Scholz’s invitation in November 2023.

Throughout the years, numerous German leaders such as Helmut Schmidt, Angela Merkel, and Christian Wulff have traveled to Nigeria, promoting agreements in energy, trade, and cultural exchanges.

In a similar manner, Nigerian presidents including Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari have made state visits to Germany.

Following their private discussions, Tinubu and Steinmeier are anticipated to speak to the press, likely highlighting improved economic cooperation and shared interests in sustainable development.