In call with German chancellor, Tinubu seeks used helicopters for Sahel surveillance

President Bola Tinubu has asked Friedrich Merz to support Nigeria with used helicopters to boost intelligence and reconnaissance operations across the Sahel.

The request was made during a roughly 10-minute telephone conversation between the Nigerian president and the German leader on Wednesday afternoon, according to a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.

Both leaders agreed to deepen bilateral ties between Nigeria and Germany, with a focus on cooperation in security, electricity, and railway development.

Tinubu described the Sahel corridor as a troubled region that requires stronger intelligence support and surveillance capacity. The presidency did not indicate whether Germany approved the helicopter request.

Power and infrastructure talks

The discussion also covered Nigeria’s presidential power initiative aimed at improving electricity supply nationwide. Tinubu said the country needs further support to strengthen power transmission infrastructure.

Merz reportedly assured that Siemens would provide technical assistance, while Deutsche Bank is open to financing aspects of the project.

Nigeria and Germany currently have a $2.3 billion Siemens power agreement that has seen slow progress since it was signed in 2019.

In December 2021, the federal executive council approved $1.9 million and €62.9 million for the first phase, which focuses on modernising, rehabilitating, and expanding the national grid.

Tinubu had acknowledged some progress on the project last November but noted that it has not met expectations.

Cultural cooperation

The two leaders also discussed collaboration in the arts, with Merz advocating for the creation of a Great Museum of African Arts. He added that Germany is looking forward to welcoming Nigeria’s incoming ambassador.

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