German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has arrived at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for a scheduled meeting with President Bola Tinubu, as part of the activities marking his state visit to Nigeria. The German leader who arrived at the Presidential Villa at 11.03am, was received at the presidential Villa forecourt, by President Bola Tinubu and was given the ceremonial 21-gun salute.
According to BusinessDay, both leaders later went into a closed door meeting, accompanied by top government officials from both countries.
During the meeting, issues around security, energy, agriculture, mining and ICT, amongst other critical developmental issues are expected to be on the front burner.
The German leader who arrived Nigeria on Tuesday night, was received at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
As part of the visit, the German leader will meet with President Bola Tinubu, as well as the President of the Commission of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Alieu Omar Touray, in Abuja, before proceeding to Lagos to engage with Nigeria’s leading private sector operators.
President Steinmeier, who is being accompanied by a strong business delegation made up of CEOs and high-ranking board members of some of Germany’s most successful companies in the fields of IT, high-tech and energy, are expected to use the opportunity to interface with members of the organised private sector.
A statement by the German Embassy in Nigeria had also earlier indicated that the presence of the strong team from the German private sector is an indication of the rising interest of German businesses who are seeking opportunities to invest in Nigeria.
BusinessDay gathered that the visiting German leader will also have an opportunity to tour the city of Lagos and gain insights into the urban development of a megacity, including environmental and social challenges.
Both Nigeria and Germany are currently the strongest economies in their respective bloc. The visit is seen as part of a strategic plan to foster partnership and good relationships between Nigeria and Germany.
