September 2025 may not bring a flood of new laws in Germany, but several important changes will take effect this month. Some of these changes may directly affect you – from a higher minimum wage for apprentices, which is especially relevant for young people starting vocational training, to the nationwide rollout of the electronic health record system and the deadline …

A bold new initiative led by the African diaspora in Germany is set to reshape how skilled labour migration between Africa and Europe is managed. The 360° Labour Mobility programme, launched recently in Ghana and Nigeria, creates a structured pathway for African professionals to access job opportunities in Germany. Germany faces a looming demographic crisis. According to the Institute for …

A new prize celebrating African cinema through African eyes is about to make its debut. The AFP Critics Prize is set to be awarded for the first time in Lagos. _______ In a bold step towards redefining how African cinema is recognized and critiqued, the African Film Press (AFP), a continent-wide alliance of independent film platforms, has unveiled the AFP …

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a sharp increase in the fees for obtaining the Nigerian international passport. The new pricing structure will take effect on 1 September 2025, according to a statement released on Thursday by a spokesman for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The increment is tied to the rollout of the new “Nigerian Standard Passport,” which …

A Critical Analysis of Systemic Racism in German Family Law The treatment of Black parents and children within Germany’s family law system, exemplified by the ongoing separation of a Black man and his young son, reveals deeply embedded structural inequities that amount to violations of international human rights law, writes Amal Abbass*. Through legal, historical, sociological and intersectional lenses, she …

After a protracted legal battle and decades of public debate, Berlin’s Mohrenstraße in the Mitte district has officially been renamed Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße. The renaming was celebrated on Saturday, 23 August, coinciding with the UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition. The ceremony was only made possible after the Oberverwaltungsgericht Berlin-Brandenburg overturned a last-minute injunction granted …

Former Ghanaian MP and dedicated Pan-Africanist Ras Mubarak is leading a group of activists on an ambitious campaign to mobilize support for a visa-free and united Africa. The Trans African Tourism and Unity Campaign, a 163-day, 40,000-kilometer road trip spanning 39 African countries, advocates for the elimination of visa restrictions for African citizens travelling within the continent. Launched on 18 …

Germany has once again ruled out reparations for colonial-era atrocities, a decision that has sparked outrage among Black German advocates and descendants of genocide victims in Africa. The Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland (ISD), a leading Black German advocacy group, condemned the government’s stance as “deeply unjust and historically whitewashing.” The organization said Berlin’s reliance on the legal principle of …

In a welcome development, Germany has unveiled four new Schengen visa application centres — two in Nigeria (Abuja and Lagos), one in Yaoundé (Cameroon) and another in Nicosia (Cyprus). This expansion, launched under a renewed seven-year agreement with VFS Global, seeks to streamline visa services and reduce bottlenecks affecting applicants. VFS Global is the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services …

The European Commission has confirmed that its long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin its phased rollout on 12 October 2025, launching a digital transformation of border management across 29 European countries, including Schengen-associated states. Designed to modernise the cumbersome process of passport stamping, the EES will capture biometric data — fingerprints, facial images along with travel document and entry/exit details …

From 1 October 2025, Emirates passengers will face stricter rules when travelling with powerbanks. The Dubai-based airline says the move is aimed at enhancing onboard safety amid rising incidents involving lithium batteries across the aviation industry. According to the new policy, passengers may still bring powerbanks on board under certain conditions, but using or charging them during the flight is …

The magic of cinema shone brightly as the Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) and the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA) concluded in spectacular fashion, celebrating two unforgettable days of storytelling, creativity, and cultural pride. A Grand Opening at Deutsches Filmmuseum The festival opened on August 8 at the prestigious Deutsches Filmmuseum with the world premiere of KARMA, produced by festival …

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has issued a landmark ruling that raises the standard for EU countries when designating “safe countries of origin” in asylum procedures. Persons from safe countries of origin have little chance of being granted asylum in the EU. According to the Court, a country can only be considered safe if all groups within its population, …

The suicide of a 15-year-old Black boy in a German juvenile detention centre has sparked fierce debates about racism, violence and systemic neglect within the country’s justice system. The incident, which occurred on 1 August at the Justizvollzugsanstalt (JVA) Ottweiler in Saarland, has drawn parallels to past cases of Black people dying in state custody, raising urgent questions about institutional …

A rare opportunity for Nigerians in Germany to speak directly with their diplomats took place in Frankfurt on 1 August 2025. The town hall meeting, part of the Consulate’s Consular and Migration Sensitisation Programme, addressed urgent community concerns — from passport delays to legal challenges and child welfare cases. In this exclusive interview with The African Courier, Chuks Lewis Ehiwario, …

The Nigerian Consulate General in Frankfurt brought the diaspora together for a landmark town hall meeting on Friday, 1 August 2025, as part of its ongoing Consular and Migration Sensitisation Programme. Held in Frankfurt am Main, the gathering provided a rare platform for direct interaction between the Consul General, Ambassador Yakubu Dadu, and Nigerians living in Germany. Among the speakers …

Get ready to be dazzled — the third edition of Africa Fashion Week Cologne (AFWC) is on the horizon, returning in style on 13–14 September 2025 at the elegant Sartory-Saal in the heart of Cologne, Germany. This move to the iconic venue follows two sensational editions, including an unforgettable display at the Rautenstrauch–Joest–Museum in 2023. This year’s Africa Fashion Week …

Nollywood royalty is coming to Germany! Award-winning actress, producer and director Funke Akindele, revered as Nigeria’s queen of cinema, will be one of the celebrated guests at this year’s Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG), taking place from 8–9 August in Frankfurt am Main. Joining Akindele are other Nollywood stars Charles Inojie, Rita Edochie and Rahama Sadau, promising a dazzling lineup …

A German court has ordered a couple to repay more than €33,000 in Bürgergeld after authorities found they had been living in Nigeria while claiming social benefits. The couple had failed to inform the Jobcenter of their long-term absence abroad — a violation of the conditions for receiving Bürgergeld. The new court decision has again confirmed the Jobcenter’s right to …

Nigeria has officially launched a programme designed to connect Nigerian professionals abroad with universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions in their homeland. The Diaspora BRIDGE is a cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at harnessing global talent to elevate educational standards and drive institutional transformation in Nigeria. At the Abuja launch ceremony on Tuesday (29 July), …