Nigeria's president Bola Tinubu has sought to offset the impact of his economic reforms
AFP

President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigeria is all set to welcome its nearly 12,000 citizens - who are stranded in Germany - back to the country.

His comments came after he met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz over the weekend to discuss several issues, including stranded Nigerians in Germany.

Due to the economic conditions in the country, many Nigerian youngsters travel to other countries using illegal routes. During the meeting, Tinubu said that his administration would work with Germany to ensure "regular migration and deepen the relationship in that area."

Regarding thousands of stranded Nigerians in Germany, the Nigerian leader said, ''I am not making any demands. If they are Nigerian citizens, they are Nigerians, and they are welcome back home."

He added, "We had a very deep discussion on this and you have to separate the economic refugees from real refugees," Arise TV reported.

"We have a program to work in partnership to really ensure normal migration and deepen the relationship in that area. I'm not making any demands, if they are Nigerian citizens, they are Nigerian citizens, and they are welcome back home. Nothing should send them away," Tinubu said.

He went on to share that both countries are ready to enter into a partnership to improve the migration situation, which will help other young and vibrant people to go through the lawful immigration process and be accepted in the country for good behavior and good character.

Tinubu assured that Germany and Nigeria have agreed to work in that direction. The Nigerian leader also took to X, formerly Twitter, to share a series of photos featuring him and the German officials, who visited Nigeria for two days.

"Today marked a significant step forward in Nigeria-Germany relations with the visit of Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany," he wrote, adding that this meeting with reinforce both countries' shared commitment to mutual growth and prosperity.

"During our bilateral discussions, we exchanged views on pressing global issues, collaborative partnerships, expanding trade between both countries, democracy and human rights, and regional stability," he wrote.

The president also shared that during the business roundtable with the German delegation on the sidelines of the visit, he emphasized the potential for collaboration between Nigeria and Germany in various sectors ranging from energy to digital economy, transportation to agriculture, and sustainable development.

The German Chancellor, on the other hand, stressed that they are committed to supporting Nigeria to improve security and economic conditions.

"We are all committed to democracy and the rule of law. And it is important for us to make this a lifestyle for countries. It is good for a better future for our people. And so I'm very happy that we can work on this discussion," he said.

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