Energy Transition, Security In Focus As Nigeria, Germany Boost Ties

The Nigerian government and the German government have discussed ways to meet the energy transition target as both countries pledged to improve bilateral ties to also fight insecurity and tackle climate change among others.

This was the crux of a bilateral meeting between the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja yesterday on the heels of the reparation of 22 pieces of artefacts from Germany to Nigeria.

Onyeama, who said the artefacts are beyond aesthetics to but a symbol of the “culture and spirituality to the Nigerian people”, noted that strengthening bilateral ties, people-to people relations, strengthening partnership in the energy, economic sectors, will benefit both countries.

“Regarding Energy transmission, it is something that we want to see as the transition to Fossil Fuel by 2060.

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“Hydrogen of course is one of the options and strategies that are still in place. And we are very open to engaging with our partners such as Germany to further develop this.

“We have fully committed into Climate Action and it is a whole of government approach

“You are coming in the context of the return of various artefacts that have been residing in Germany for a number of decades.

“We wish first of all to extend on behalf of the government of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria our deep gratitude to your government for this gesture of return of these artefacts.

“We have strong economic cooperation between our two countries and as a country that is an oil and gas producing country, we have tried as a government to diversify our economy,” Onyeama said.

Baerbock in her remarks, said that there are so many ways in which Nigeria and Germany, the European Union and African Union need to strengthen collaborations for economic and mutual benefits.

She lauded Nigeria for its consistency in the fight against terrorism and it efforts to rebuild areas that it has recaptured from by Boko Haram terrorists and other insurgent groups.

“There are so many topics between Germany and Nigeria, The European Union and the African Union which we can intensify our cooperation with.

“We are really appreciative of how your government has supported us, we went to Borno state to see first-hand what part of your society has been through within the last year.

“But also how you resisted terrorism and how rebuilt the areas which have been taken by Boko Haram and others.

“So we really applaud your engagement for the security of the people,” Baerbock said