Nigeria Eyes German Auto Assembly Plants, Skilled Migration As Ambassador Enang Presents Credentials In Berlin
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Senator Ita Enang, has formally presented his Letters of Credence to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, marking the start of his diplomatic mission with talks focused on trade, energy, migration and industrial cooperation.
According to a statement by Enang, the credential presentation took place at the Presidential Palace in Berlin and followed diplomatic traditions that included a military welcome parade, the signing of the accreditation register and the formal presentation of his credentials.
The ceremony was followed by bilateral discussions between President Steinmeier and the Nigerian envoy on expanding cooperation between both countries.
Enang said the discussions covered economic relations, Nigeria’s power sector, agriculture, food security, migration and consular matters.
He said both sides also discussed creating a formal Nigeria-Germany migration agreement that would provide opportunities for skilled Nigerians in healthcare, technology, IT, artificial intelligence and other sectors of the German economy.
According to the statement, another major focus was attracting German automobile manufacturers to establish assembly plants in Nigeria instead of exporting fully assembled vehicles.
The statement said the proposal is aimed at “bringing to Nigeria Automobile Assembly plants to now Assemble cars, Trucks and machineries in-Country Nigeria instead of exporting to Nigeria completely Assembled Automobiles, to build capacity of Nigerians and transfer technology.”
Enang said regional security and Nigeria’s leadership role in ECOWAS also featured during the meeting, including discussions on the need to encourage the return of countries that have withdrawn from the regional bloc.
He said the meeting also examined Germany’s role in the Green Tree Agreement following the International Court of Justice judgment on the Nigeria-Cameroon land and maritime boundary dispute, including humanitarian issues arising from the Bakassi boundary demarcation.
According to the statement, both sides discussed the interest of German companies in capturing gas currently flared in the Niger Delta for electricity generation, as well as Nigeria’s oil exports to Germany.
Enang also conveyed Nigeria’s appreciation for Germany’s humanitarian assistance recently delivered through German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul during his visit to Nigeria.
The ambassador thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing him to the position, saying: “Let me express my immense gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for the honour and indeed privilege of appointing me as an Ambassador, designating me to Germany.”
The statement added that both leaders acknowledged the strong relationship between Nigeria and Germany and discussed the need for more state visits to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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