Strengthening German-Nigerian research cooperation

Photo: Von links nach rechts: Lena Kainz, Auswärtiges Amt; Joshua O. Bolarinwa, National Institute of International Affairs (NIIA); Joseph Ochogwu, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR); Ademola Lawal, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy, and Development (SCDDD), Matthias Basedau, GIGA; Michael Roll, IDOS; Solomon T. Anjide, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS); David Kipp, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP).

©Joseph Ochogwu, From left to right: Lena Kainz, Federal Foreign Office; Joshua O. Bolarinwa, National Institute of International Affairs (NIIA); Joseph Ochogwu, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR); Ademola Lawal, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy, and Development (SCDDD), Matthias Basedau, GIGA; Michael Roll, IDOS; Solomon T. Anjide, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS); David Kipp, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP).

During a strategy workshop of the Federal Foreign Office on „Nigeria 2030“ at the beginning of the year, IDOS had suggested stronger cooperation between social scientists of both countries to strengthen mutual understanding and collaboration. Taking up this idea, the Federal Foreign Office and the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) organised the first Nigerian-German Research Exchange Meeting on 28 and 29 November 2022 in Berlin. For two days, several Nigerian and German academics discussed topics of particular interest in both countries and in their cooperation with each other. In addition to questions of security, the Sahel, dealing with the climate crisis, and migration, specific issues of scientific cooperation were also discussed. Four participants from Nigeria as well as German Nigeria experts were invited to Berlin, while the majority of the group participated virtually. For IDOS, Michael Roll and Susan Ekoh participated.

 

The reception of the group and of representatives of the German political foundations with offices in Nigeria by Nigeria’s Ambassador in Germany, Mr Yusuf Tuggar, contributed to a deeper exchange. On the second day, the group presented the first results to the representatives of several Federal Ministries and the Federal Chancellery and will now discuss in which form this exchange will be continued. At the end of the meeting, the group was given a guided tour of the exhibition of Benin bronzes at the Humboldt Forum, which officially belong to Nigeria since August 2022 and most of which will be returned in the near future.

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