Welcome

German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Lagos

Kanzler Scholz in Nigeria

Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (SPD), nimmt neben Hamzat Obafemi, stellvertretender Gouverneur des Bundesstaates Lagos, an der Eröffnung des Deutsch-Nigerianischen Wirtschaftsforums in der Wirtschaftsmetropole Lagos teil., © dpa

26.03.2024 - Article

In the course of his visit to Nigeria, German Head of Government, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz made an inspiring trip to Lagos on 29th-30th October 2023.

In the course of his visit to Nigeria, German Head of Government, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz made an inspiring trip to Lagos on 29th-30th October 2023, accompanied by a large delegation of German representatives of political administration, private business and culture. After previous meetings with President Tinubu, Nigerian cabinet ministers and business representatives as well as the West-African regional organization ECOWAS in Abuja, Chancellor Scholz’s Lagos programme added important aspects of bilateral cooperation in the economic, scientific and cultural fields.

Kanzler Scholz in Nigeria
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), alongside Hamzat Obafemi, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, takes part in the opening of the German-Nigerian Economic Forum in Lagos.© dpa

The first highlight was a German-Nigerian Business Conference, co-opened by federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Hamzat. This conference was organised by the Nigerian German Chamber of Commerce NGCC and attended by more than 250 Nigerian dignitaries and business stakeholders.

Kanzler Scholz in Nigeria
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) visits the German-Nigerian Center for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration in Lagos.© dpa

His next stops were the Nigerian German Centre for Jobs, Migration & Re-Intergration and a tour of the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History. This was followed by an interesting meeting with representatives of Nigerian civil society organizations.

In order to get a deeper impression of Lagos as a lagoon metropolis, the Federal Chancellor and his delegation went on a guided boat tour, led by Prof. Taibat Lawanson, an urbanization specialist from UNILAG, and Architect Papa Omotayo. Through the course of the tour, Chancellor Scholz and his erudite guides discussed about developmental and environmental issues of urbanization.

Kanzler Scholz in Nigeria
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) sits opposite Taibat Lawanson, Professor of Urban Management, on a boat trip in Lagos.© dpa

The boat tour ended at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) jetty, where the Chancellor was received by the university management, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, and Mr. Bayo Omoboriowo, founder of M.A.D House. As a new creative space within the university campus, the M.A.D house not only served as an ideal final meeting stop for the German Federal Chancellor’s visit to Lagos, but also as a befitting venue for an exciting exchange with six young, successful Nigerian startup entrepreneurs; four of them being women.

Top of page