Tinubu Hosts German President Steinmeier at Aso Rock Villa
President Bola Tinubu welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Wednesday morning. Steinmeier, who arrived in Abuja the previous evening, was met by Tinubu at the Villa’s Forecourt at 11:06 am (local time). He was accompanied by a delegation of CEOs and high-ranking officials from leading German companies in IT, high-tech, and energy sectors. Upon arrival, Steinmeier was honored with the German and Nigerian national anthems, followed by an inspection of the Presidential Guard of Honour. After a 21-gun salute, the two leaders proceeded to a closed-door meeting in Tinubu’s office. The German Embassy had earlier stated that Steinmeier would also meet with the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr. Alieu Touray. His visit will include engagements in Lagos, where he will interact with business leaders, visit a start-up hub, and meet cultural and civil society figures, including Dr. Nike Okundaye and Prof. Wole Soyinka. This marks Steinmeier’s second visit to Nigeria in 14 months, following German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit in October 2023. The visit continues a longstanding relationship between the two nations, with high-level exchanges dating back to 1978. In recent years, the countries have collaborated on multiple agreements, particularly in energy, trade, and culture. Notable is the 2019 agreement between President Buhari and German company Siemens to boost Nigeria’s electricity generation. Following their closed-door talks, Tinubu and Steinmeier are expected to address the press.
