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The President of Germany, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, will visit Nigeria for an official three-day trip from December 10 to 12, 2024, according to a statement from the German Embassy in Abuja.
Naija News reports that the visit is part of ongoing high-level exchanges between Nigeria and Germany, marking the third engagement since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office.
Steinmeier will be accompanied by senior executives and board members from leading German companies specializing in IT, high-tech, and energy, underscoring Germany’s growing interest in Nigerian investment opportunities.
During his stay, he will hold discussions with President Tinubu and Dr. Alieu Omar Touray, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission.
The German President will also travel to Lagos, where he plans to engage with notable cultural figures, including Dr. Nike Okundaye of the Nike Art Gallery and Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.
In addition, Steinmeier will interact with business representatives, explore a start-up hub, and tour Lagos to gain insight into the city’s urban development challenges.
A statement from the German Embassy described the visit as an opportunity to enhance bilateral ties, deepen economic partnerships, and celebrate cultural connections between the two nations.
The statement reads: “German Embassy in Nigeria is pleased to announce the visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Nigeria on the 10th to 12th of December 2024.
“The visit aims to underline the strength of Nigeria-Germany relations and to mark Germany’s appreciation of Nigeria.
“Following the visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Nigeria in October 2023 and the visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Germany in November 2023, President Steinmeier’s visit is the third exchange between both countries on the level of head of state or government since President Tinubu’s inauguration.
“This high frequency of visits is proof of the close relations between both countries and the serious interest of Germany in Nigeria. It is also evidence of a willingness to work together as strategic partners – an obvious fit, as both countries share striking commonalities, including being the strongest economy and the most populous country on their respective continents.
“President Steinmeier will be accompanied by a business delegation of CEOs and high-ranking board members of some of Germany’s most successful companies in the fields of IT, hightech and energy – an indication of the rising interest of German businesses in opportunities to invest in Nigeria.
“While in the country, President Steinmeier will meet with President Tinubu as well as with the President of the Commission of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), His Excellency Dr. Alieu Omar Touray.
“The German President will then proceed to Lagos, where he will engage with business representatives, visit a start-up hub and meet with members of Nigeria’s culture sector and civil society.
“The German President will further meet with Dr. NikeOkundaye, popularly known as Mama Nike, of the Nike Art Gallery, and the legendary author and Nobel Laureate for Literature, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
“There will also be an opportunity to be part of a tour of the city of Lagos to gain insights into the urban development of megacity Lagos, including environmental and social challenges.”
The statement emphasized the mutual significance of both nations as economic powerhouses and the most populous countries on their respective continents, making them natural strategic partners.
The embassy also outlined Steinmeier’s role as a representative Head of State who promotes international cooperation and acts as a mediator and communicator for Germany.
