By Abubakar Yunusa
Nigeria and Germany have concluded negotiations on a renewed framework for bilateral cooperation, with both countries set to sign the agreement in Abuja on Thursday.
The deal covers key sectors including agriculture, energy, healthcare, governance, skills development and private-sector growth.
The negotiations involved senior officials from more than six Nigerian ministries and agencies led by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, alongside representatives of the German Embassy and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.
Speaking during the opening session, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said the partnership was entering a new phase focused on economic transformation and sustainable growth.
Bagudu described Germany as one of Nigeria’s most reliable development partners, noting that over five decades of collaboration had produced visible results in healthcare, renewable energy, vocational education and enterprise development.
He said both countries were repositioning their relationship to address emerging global realities through innovation, investment and economic competitiveness.
“The global development landscape is becoming increasingly complex, shaped by economic pressures, geopolitical uncertainties, climate-related challenges, and shrinking development finance,” he said.
Bagudu said the Nigeria-Germany Binational Commission held in Berlin in November 2025 marked a turning point in strengthening cooperation on trade, security, migration, culture and development.
He also referenced the recent Nigeria-Germany Business Forum in Lagos, which he said created fresh investment opportunities between both economies.
The minister stated that the Federal Government’s economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda were aimed at achieving long-term macroeconomic stability.
According to him, reforms such as foreign exchange liberalisation, increased revenue mobilisation and infrastructure investments had improved the financial strength of state governments.
He added that agreements reached through the National Economic Council chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima were helping to coordinate reforms, improve security collaboration and attract private capital for infrastructure development.
Bagudu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to energy transition through improved electricity access and renewable energy investments.
He cited ongoing collaboration with Germany through the Nigeria Energy Support Programme and the Energy Transition Challenge Fund.
In her remarks, Germany’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, described Nigeria as a strategic African partner.
She said Nigeria’s leadership role within Economic Community of West African States and the African Union remained critical to regional peace and economic integration.
Günther said recent engagements in Lagos and Abeokuta reflected the growing depth of cooperation between both countries, especially through the Siemens AG Presidential Power Initiative and the SEED Programme.
“Nigeria is a giant in Africa, just as Germany plays a central role in Europe. Together, we can drive meaningful progress,” she said.
The ambassador said Germany remained committed to supporting Nigeria’s reform agenda despite growing global fiscal pressures.
She disclosed that major German firms, including Siemens AG and SAP, were exploring expanded investments in Nigeria covering digital transformation, agritech innovation and workforce development.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director-General of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Philip Knill, described the negotiations as vital for strengthening institutional collaboration and aligning future priorities.
He said Germany would continue to focus on private-sector participation, innovation financing and strategic investment partnerships capable of delivering sustainable economic impact.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Deborah Odoh, described the talks as a major milestone in Nigeria-Germany relations.
She expressed optimism that the negotiations would produce concrete financial and technical commitments for future cooperation.
