President Bola Tinubu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have reached a new agreement to accelerate Nigeria's power infrastructure and strengthen security across the volatile Sahel corridor. The diplomatic breakthrough occurred during a high-level telephone conversation on Wednesday afternoon, marking a significant step in the 65-year relationship between the two nations.
During the nine-minute call, President Tinubu specifically requested technical assistance for Nigeria’s power transmission network under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). Chancellor Merz responded with a firm commitment, stating that German engineering giant Siemens is prepared to assist, with Deutsche Bank standing by to provide the necessary project financing.
The leaders also addressed the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel. President Tinubu made a pragmatic appeal for military hardware, specifically requesting the supply of used helicopters to bolster Nigeria’s surveillance capabilities. "The Sahel corridor is bad and needs our support. Intelligence support reconnaissance is needed," the Nigerian President told his German counterpart.
Beyond infrastructure and defence, the dialogue touched on cultural diplomacy and human capital. Chancellor Merz advocated for the establishment of a "Great Museum of African Arts" and expressed interest in collaborative skill development and creative arts programmes.
The conversation concluded with Chancellor Merz noting that Berlin is "eagerly awaiting" the arrival of Nigeria's new ambassador to Germany. According to a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the call signifies a renewed commitment to resolving long-standing bottlenecks in Nigeria’s energy sector while addressing regional instability.