By Chimezie Godfrey
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in security, electricity and railway development.
The resolution followed a telephone conversation between the two leaders on Wednesday, where they also pledged collaboration in creative arts and skills development.
During the discussion, the President spoke on the Presidential Power Initiative and stressed the need for assistance in strengthening power transmission infrastructure.
The German leader assured that Siemens AG would provide technical support, while Deutsche Bank is willing to finance the project.
The leaders also expressed concern over insecurity in the Sahel region, with Tinubu requesting support through the supply of used helicopters for intelligence reconnaissance.
“The Sahel corridor is bad and needs our support. Intelligence support reconnaissance is needed,” the President said.
They noted that diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Germany have lasted about 65 years.
Merz further said his country looks forward to receiving Nigeria’s new ambassador and emphasised cultural cooperation, including the proposed Great Museum of African Arts.
The call lasted about nine minutes, from 2:01 pm to 2:10 pm, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.