Nigeria, Germany Agree to Deepen Security Cooperation

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz used a brief but wide-ranging telephone call to reset momentum in bilateral cooperation, focusing on energy infrastructure and security assistance.

Abuja framed the 9 minute exchange as a practical step toward reviving the stalled Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) with Siemens, while also raising Nigeria’s request for used German helicopters to support reconnaissance operations linked to Sahel instability.

Power Grid Bottleneck

At the center of the discussion was the long-delayed Siemens-backed electricity modernization agreement signed in 2019. The project originally targeted 7,000 megawatts (MW) of reliable power by 2021 and 11,000 MW by 2023 through the rehabilitation of transmission lines and distribution substations, financed by German banks.

Progress has been slowed by regulatory, logistical, and financing hurdles.

Tinubu reiterated the need for external support, stating, “We will require assistance with power transmission as part of our Presidential Power Initiative.”

Merz responded with a dual assurance on delivery and financing. “Siemens is ready to assist, and Deutsche Bank is willing to finance the project,” he said, according to Tinubu’s office.

The statement echoes earlier German commitments but signals renewed political backing at the chancellery level.

Nigeria’s transmission constraints remain a structural impediment to converting installed generation capacity into stable supply, making grid upgrades as critical as new generation assets.

Security Cooperation Expands

Tinubu also linked Nigeria’s internal security environment to deteriorating conditions across the Sahel corridor.

“The Sahel corridor is bad and needs our support. Intelligence support reconnaissance is needed,” he said.

Nigeria’s request for used German helicopters was framed around enhancing reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering capabilities rather than direct combat roles.

The Sahel’s security crisis has increasingly affected coastal West Africa through cross-border militant activity and trafficking networks. Germany’s willingness to consider equipment transfers would complement existing training and advisory frameworks between European partners and Nigerian forces. Neither side disclosed specific helicopter platforms or timelines.

From Energy to Railways

Beyond power and defense, the leaders agreed to broaden cooperation into rail transport, creative industries, and skills development.

Nigeria and Germany marked 65 years of diplomatic relations, a milestone referenced by both offices to contextualize the call.

Merz welcomed the anticipated arrival of Nigeria’s new ambassador, according to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on information and strategy.

Merz also emphasized cultural diplomacy, backing proposals for a Museum of African Arts.

While details remain sparse, the endorsement aligns with Berlin’s wider strategy of combining economic, security, and cultural engagement in Africa.

Financing Signals and Constraints

The Siemens project’s revival hinges on synchronized regulatory approvals, financing closure, and implementation logistics. The reference to Deutsche Bank’s readiness to finance suggests that credit arrangements could be reactivated if contractual and compliance issues are resolved.

Nigeria’s electricity demand continues to outpace reliable supply, with transmission losses and grid instability undermining industrial productivity.

The Tinubu-Merz exchange, though brief, highlighted how energy reliability and security stabilization remain intertwined priorities in Nigeria’s external partnerships.