TINUBU, GERMAN CHANCELLOR MERZ PLEDGE COLLABORATION ON SECURITY, POWER SECTORS

President Bola Tinubu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Germany, focusing on security, power infrastructure, and railway development. The two leaders reached the resolution during a telephone conversation on Wednesday afternoon, where they also discussed potential partnerships in creative arts and skill development.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement. The presidential spokesman said the discussion centered on the Presidential Power Initiative, with President Tinubu indicating that Nigeria would require assistance with power transmission. According to the statement, Chancellor Merz pledged that Siemens would be ready to assist in that regard, while Deutsche Bank would be willing to finance the project.

The two leaders expressed shared concern over the security situation in the Sahel region. President Tinubu specifically called for the supply of used helicopters to aid intelligence reconnaissance efforts in the area. The Sahel corridor is bad and needs our support. Intelligence support reconnaissance is needed, the Nigerian President was quoted as saying during the nine-minute conversation, which began at 2.01 pm and ended around 2.10 pm.

Onanuga noted that diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Germany have been in place for up to 65 years. Chancellor Merz conveyed his country’s anticipation for the arrival of Nigeria’s new ambassador to Germany. The German leader also spoke about the importance of the arts and called for the establishment of the Great Museum of African Arts.

The statement from Onanuga confirmed that both leaders resolved to improve bilateral relations and expressed willingness to strengthen collaboration across multiple sectors.