Foreign Ministers Yusuf Tuggar and Johann Wadephul have reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to sustainable development, legal migration frameworks and economic cooperation during their meeting in Berlin, as Nigeria seeks to position itself as a vital partner of Germany in Africa  Nigeria and Germany have reaffirmed their long-standing bilateral relationship with renewed commitments to cooperation across strategic sectors including energy, trade …

In this powerful reflection, Collins Nweke* takes us on a deeply personal journey through Europe’s evolving relationship with diversity. Drawing on his lived experiences as a Nigerian-born Belgian public servant, father and now grandfather, he explores the shift from multiculturalism – living side by side, to interculturalism, where mutual transformation takes root.  Upfront I want to say that it would …

Acclaimed Gambian-British artist Sona Jobarteh is set to captivate audiences in Berlin and Bremen with her soul-stirring music on 29 May and 31 May, respectively. A master of the kora, a 21-string West African harp, Jobarteh is not only a virtuoso instrumentalist but also a singer, composer and passionate advocate for African cultural identity. Sona Jobarteh hails from one of …

Pope Leo XIV was officially inaugurated on Sunday in a solemn Mass at St. Peter’s Square, attended by over 200,000 people, including dignitaries from across the globe. As he begins his pontificate, Pope Leo—born Cardinal Robert Prevost—called for global peace and solidarity with war-affected communities, particularly in Gaza, Myanmar and Ukraine. “In the joy of faith and communion, we cannot …

Marie Nejar, the last known surviving Afro-German eyewitness to the horrors of Nazi Germany and a revered voice in Afro-German history, has passed away peacefully in Hamburg at the age of 95. Her death on Sunday (11 May) marks the end of an era — not only as a survivor of a time that tried to erase her identity, but …

A bold new chapter begins for Berlin’s literary and cultural scene this Friday, 16 May, with the opening of One More Chapter, the city’s latest BuchBar – a creative fusion of bookstore, bar, restaurant and cultural space – in the heart of Friedrichshain. Founded by Stefanie Hirsbrunner, Karla Kutzner and Venice Trommer, the trio behind the acclaimed African Book Festival Berlin, …

The Nigerian Awareness Day – WAZOBIA will once again shine a spotlight on the rich culture, history and diversity of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. Organized by ICDI e.V., the event, which takes place on 28 June in Potsdam, targets a wide audience including members of the Nigerian and African diaspora, cultural enthusiasts, and the general public in the Berlin-Brandenburg …

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany e.V. will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 14 June in Berlin. The gathering, which will be a hybrid event, will provide members with the opportunity to reflect on the state of the organisation, discuss current developments in Nigeria and chart a course for future engagement. The 2025 AGM is especially significant …

The life of Nigerian parents in the diaspora is a delicate balancing act — between preserving heritage and embracing a new reality. With all the troubles in their country of origin, preserving that desired link to the roots becomes a big challenge. In this heartfelt reflection, Belgium-based Collins Nweke captures the struggle of raising his children across cultures, the pain …

For nearly three decades, Maisha – African Women in Germany e.V. has been at the forefront of promoting healthy living within the African community. Founded by the visionary Kenyan-born Virginia Wangare Greiner in 1996, the Frankfurt-based non-profit organisation provides support on issues such as integration, asylum, German language acquisition, entrepreneurship, psychosocial and health concerns, education and family challenges. What sets …

By Sola Jolaoso | The African Courier Planned visa restrictions under the UK’s upcoming immigration reforms could significantly affect African nationals, particularly those from Nigeria, as the British government moves to tighten control over legal migration routes that it believes are being misused for asylum claims. According to a BBC News report published on 6 May 2025, the UK Home …

Violent conflict and insecurity continue to ravage parts of Africa — from the brutal civil war in Sudan and persistent unrest in South Sudan, to Islamist insurgencies spreading across the Sahel and ongoing fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. In recent years, countries such as Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia and Mozambique have also grappled with violent …

In a move that’s drawing sharp criticisms across Africa and the diaspora, the United Kingdom has denied South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema a visa — effectively blocking him from delivering a keynote address at the prestigious Cambridge Africa Together Conference on 10 May. The outspoken politician, invited by the University of Cambridge’s African Society to speak …

Germany ushered in a new political era on Tuesday (6 May) as Friedrich Merz, leader of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), was elected Chancellor. However, the path to his election was fraught with unexpected drama in the Bundestag, highlighting underlying tensions within the governing coalition. Surprising Setback in the First Vote Despite the CDU/CSU and Social Democratic Party (SPD) …

With the election of Friedrich Merz as Germany’s new Chancellor on Tuesday, the country enters a new political chapter — marked by a significantly tougher stance on migration. Throughout his campaign, Merz had made tackling irregular migration a top priority. Now, his new government is moving swiftly: Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has announced a series of immediate measures. At …

The annual parade of African music and culture – a vibrant celebration showcasing the continent’s finest artists and talents from the Diaspora – unfolds in May, heralding a season of cultural exchange and shared festivity. Germany’s summer calendar is adorned with festivals that pay homage to Africa’s diverse cultures. From the charming southwestern town of Emmendingen, nestled near Freiburg, to …

The city of Erlangen has bestowed its highest civic honour on Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, naming her an Honorary Citizen (Ehrenbürgerin) — a rare and distinguished recognition reserved for individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the city and society at large. The Afro-German politician “has made a lasting impact on the development of Erlangen and has promoted the well-being of …

Joe Chialo, Berlin’s Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion, has stepped down in protest over deep and controversial budget cuts to the capital’s cultural sector. His resignation, announced on 2 May, comes after months of mounting criticism and concern from artists, institutions and the wider public over drastic reductions in cultural funding. Chialo, a member of the conservative CDU and …

Italy has begun implementing a controversial migration deal with Albania, transferring the first group of 40 migrants from Italian detention centres to a facility in northern Albania. The move marks the formal launch of an offshore deportation programme that critics say undermines human rights and legal protections for asylum seekers. Under the agreement signed between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni …

More than 100 demonstrators gathered on Wednesday, 30 April, outside the Representation Office of the state of Lower Saxony in Berlin. They were there to protest the fatal police shooting of 21-year-old Afro-German Lorenz A. in Oldenburg in the early hours of Easter Sunday. The protest, part of a nationwide wave of actions, was organized by Black community groups who …