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Chancellor Angela Merkel wound up her three-day trip to Africa with a visit to Nigeria. In Abuja talks were held with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The aim is to step up Germany’s partnership with Nigeria. To this end a bi-national commission is to be put in place. Nigeria already operates a commission of this sort with the United States of America and South Africa. One of the main focuses of the German-Nigerian commission will be cooperation on energy issues.

In a statement to the press, the Chancellor also pointed out the opportunities that Nigeria will open up by tackling problems. It is immensely important to combat violence and terrorism, she said. The Chancellor also touched on opportunities in training and in the health sector. "Nigeria still has a great many problems to overcome," she said. "Tackling these problems could of course help generate prosperity in this country. We will stand by Nigeria in its efforts."

Angela Merkel praised the leading role played by Nigeria in the Economic Community Of West African States. The last item on the itinerary of the Chancellor was a visit to the ECOWAS headquarters.

Nigeria is an ethnically enormously diverse state in West Africa, where the River Niger flows into the Atlantic Ocean. After decades of military rule, the country is now attempting to introduce economic reforms. In 2011 the acting President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was re-elected. By 2020 Nigeria aims to become of the world’s strongest twenty economies.