NIGERIA: Tinubu Receives German President, Steinmeier At Aso Rock Villa

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The president of the federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, has welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday morning.

The German president, Steinmier arrived in Abuja on Tuesday evening and met with the President at the Forecourt of the Aso Villa in the early hours of Wednesday.

Along with him was a business delegation of CEOs and high-ranking board members of some of Germany’s most successful IT, high-tech and energy companies in Germany.

The German President, upon his arrival, was warmly welcomed with his country’s anthem and the Nigerian anthem, followed by an inspection of the Guard of Honour mounted by the Presidential Brigade of Guards and a 21-gun salute.

Afterwards, President Tinubu led Steinmeier into his office for closed-door talks.

Meanwhile, on Monday, the German Embassy announced in a statement that Steinmeier will meet with Tinubu and the President of the Commission of Economic Community of West African States, Dr. Alieu Touray, where he will then proceed to Lagos, to engage business representatives, visit a start-up hub and meet with members of Nigeria’s cultural sector and civil society.

The statement reads: “There will also be an opportunity to tour the city of Lagos and gain insights into the urban development of a megacity, including environmental and social challenges.’

It should be noted that Steinmeier is the second German leader to visit Nigeria in 14 months and the third European leader to visit the West African state since the Russo-Ukrainian War began in February 2022.