Nigeria and Germany have reaffirmed their long-standing bilateral partnership, announcing plans to deepen cooperation across critical sectors energy, trade, and migration governance.
During a meeting in Lagos organized by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Armand Zorn, Deputy Chair of the SPD Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag, described Nigeria as a “strategic partner in sub-Saharan Africa,” noting it is Germany’s second-largest trading partner in the region.
Discussions explored expanding economic collaboration, strengthening development partnerships, and establishing structured legal pathways for migration. Zorn also called for equitable tax reforms in Nigeria, stressing that “super-rich Nigerians should pay more tax” to boost public revenue without overburdening the middle class or SMEs.
Professor Olawale Ogunkola, economist at the University of Ibadan, assessed Nigeria’s macroeconomic indicators, including GDP growth, inflation, and unemployment citing slow but insufficient progress relative to population growth. He urged sustainable investment in economic diversification, fiscal accountability, and institutional reform to drive long-term prosperity.
On wage policy, Ogunkola noted that despite the new ₦70,000 minimum wage, high fuel prices and macroeconomic instability have eroded its benefits. He recommended a mix of short-term relief and long-term reforms to foster inclusive growth.
Lennart Oestergaard, FES-Nigeria’s Resident Representative, emphasized that renewed Nigeria-Germany relations will be built on shared values, sustainable development, and regional stability. He also highlighted challenges such as foreign exchange scarcity, which continues to hinder industrial output and raise costs for consumers.
Some Nigerian stakeholders, including industry expert Bolarinwa, urged policies that prioritize inclusive growth, subsidized electricity, low-interest loans, and domestic industry protection—over purely capitalist frameworks.
