Germany signaled a renewed security and economic push in Nigeria as Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul used his first visit to the country to underline Berlin's view of Abuja as a strategic partner in West Africa.
Speaking after talks with Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Wadephul said Germany remained committed to supporting Nigeria as it confronts militant groups and violent extremism. He warned that instability in the Sahel is no longer confined to the landlocked states where armed groups have expanded their reach.
Germany plans to provide 10 million euros this year to support the return and reintegration of people displaced from communities previously controlled by Boko Haram and militants linked to Islamic State. The commitment places humanitarian recovery alongside security cooperation in areas affected by insurgency.
Wadephul said the spillover effects of the Sahel crisis increasingly threaten coastal states across the region. The warning reflects broader concern over the presence of Islamic State and al Qaeda affiliates in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and the pressure that insecurity can place on neighboring countries.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said sustained international partnerships are essential for West Africa as it confronts terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organized crime and other security challenges. The talks also opened space for a wider economic agenda between the two governments.
Germany views Nigeria as West Africa's largest economy and a leading political force inside ECOWAS. Wadephul said bilateral trade grew by about 10 percent last year, Nigeria remained Germany's second-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, and more than 100 German companies operate in the country.
