Tinubu welcomes German President Steinmeier to Presidential Villa
By Jeffrey Agbo
President Bola Tinubu welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday morning, marking another milestone in the six-decade-long diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Germany.
Steinmeier, who arrived in Abuja on Tuesday evening, was formally received by Tinubu at the Forecourt of the Villa at approximately 11:06 am (local time). The ceremony included renditions of the national anthems of both nations, followed by an inspection of the Guard of Honour mounted by the Presidential Brigade of Guards.
A 21-gun salute added to the warm reception before Tinubu and Steinmeier proceeded to the President’s office for closed-door discussions.
The German leader’s visit includes a delegation of CEOs and high-ranking executives from some of Germany’s top companies specializing in IT, high-tech, and energy.
READ ALSO: NGICE team visits NIPC CEO over preparation for Nigerian/German Expo
In Lagos, Steinmeier is set to engage with business representatives, visit a start-up hub, and interact with prominent cultural figures such as Dr. Nike Okundaye and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka. The visit will also offer insights into Lagos’ urban development, highlighting environmental and social challenges in one of Africa’s largest megacities.
Steinmeier’s visit continues a tradition of diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and Germany. He is the second German leader to visit Nigeria in 14 months, following Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trip in October 2023. Tinubu previously attended the G20 Compact with Africa Economic Conference on Scholz’s invitation in November 2023.
Over the years, several German leaders, including Helmut Schmidt, Angela Merkel, and Christian Wulff, have visited Nigeria, fostering agreements in energy, trade, and culture. Similarly, Nigerian presidents such as Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari have reciprocated with state visits to Germany.
Tinubu and Steinmeier are expected to address the press after their private discussions, with the outcomes likely to emphasize enhanced economic cooperation and mutual interests in sustainable development.
