The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening economic relations with Germany, with emphasis on investment promotion, energy cooperation and the implementation of existing bilateral agreements.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, stated this in Abuja on Monday when the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefan Rössel, paid a courtesy visit to the ministry.
Bagudu welcomed the ambassador and his delegation, expressing Nigeria’s appreciation for Germany’s longstanding partnership and support for the country’s economic reform programme, particularly during its early stages.
He recalled that when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Nigeria, the Federal Government was implementing major economic reforms that required support from international partners, including Germany, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.
He also acknowledged Germany’s role in facilitating high-level engagements between both countries, particularly in trade, investment and energy cooperation. According to him, discussions during the Nigerian President’s visit to Germany helped advance negotiations on key energy agreements.
Bagudu noted that Nigeria and Germany had established a strong foundation for bilateral relations, with considerable opportunities to expand cooperation in areas capable of stimulating economic growth and development.
He identified discussions involving €25 million and €300 million in export credit guarantees as important areas of engagement, noting that Nigeria was seeking to expand investment opportunities and improve its capacity to deploy available resources effectively.
The minister said ongoing reforms had created opportunities for Nigeria to attract more investment, strengthen productive capacity and translate international partnerships into measurable economic benefits.
He, however, expressed confidence that the longstanding relationship between the two countries would provide a solid basis for addressing emerging challenges and sustaining mutually beneficial cooperation.
Rössel also welcomed the ministry’s willingness to sustain engagement with Germany, emphasising the need to preserve established partnerships while adapting to changing circumstances.
In her remarks, the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, congratulated the ambassador on his appointment and welcomed him to Nigeria.
She expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with him and relevant German agencies, stressing that the success of bilateral cooperation would depend largely on translating agreements and shared commitments into practical outcomes.
Uzoka-Anite assured the delegation that the ministry would continue to facilitate cooperation and support efforts to ensure that joint initiatives were implemented effectively and delivered tangible benefits.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Deborah Odoh, described Germany as a reliable development partner whose technical expertise, knowledge exchange and experience had contributed to Nigeria’s development.
She expressed optimism that the ambassador’s tenure would create further opportunities to strengthen cooperation and advance the longstanding relationship between both countries.
The visit reaffirmed the commitment of Nigeria and Germany to sustained diplomatic engagement, expanded economic cooperation and stronger investment partnerships aimed at promoting development in both countries.