Breaking: Tinubu hosts German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Aso Rock Villa

His arrival was marked by ceremonial honours, including the rendition of the German anthem Deutschland über alles and the Nigerian national anthem. The German leader also inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Brigade of Guards and was saluted with a 21-gun salute.

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According to a statement by the German Embassy, President Steinmeier’s visit aims to deepen Nigeria-Germany relations. While in Abuja, he is expected to meet with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Alieu Omar Touray.

Steinmeier’s itinerary includes a visit to Lagos, where he will interact with business leaders, visit a start-up hub, and engage with members of Nigeria’s cultural sector and civil society. Notable engagements include meetings with Dr. Nike Okundaye of the Nike Art Gallery and Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.

The visit follows German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trip to Nigeria in October and President Tinubu’s visit to Germany in November, marking the third high-level exchange between both nations since Tinubu’s inauguration.

The German Embassy highlighted that the visit underscores the robust bilateral relationship and Germany’s appreciation of Nigeria’s role on the international stage.