News

Germany is gearing up for snap federal elections on 23 February 2025 after the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition of the SPD, Greens and FDP. The breakup followed the sack of ex-Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the FDP in early November, after months of internal disputes, primarily over the 2025 budget, which culminated in the FDP withdrawal from …

Berlin, Germany – 27 November 2024 │A new six-part documentary series, Warum verbrannte Oury Jalloh? (Why Did Oury Jalloh Burn?), premieres today on the ARD Mediathek. The series delves into the controversial and tragic death of Oury Jalloh, an asylum seeker from Sierra Leone, whose mysterious death in police custody, in Dessau on 7 January 2005, has sparked nearly two …

Dr RosaLyn Amanda Dressman, a former President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany, has been appointed Director-General of the Electricity Regulatory Agency of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. In her new role, Ms Dressman, who has already assumed office, is tasked with providing strategic leadership and overseeing the regulation of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and retail in the state. The …

To many people, it may come as a surprise that people decide to voluntarily leave the country to which they immigrated. However, the reality for migrants is that not all applications for asylum or residency are approved, leaving many in a situation where they have to consider leaving Germany.  This is just one reason, why a total of 10,762 people …

Berlin – One of the main concerns migrants have when considering returning to their countries of origin is finding a job to provide for themselves and their families. They may be out of touch with the job market back home, or unsure whether the skills gained in Germany will lead to employment. For many, starting their own business presents a …

Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Kai Wegner, has called for easing access to the labour market for refugees, highlighting the critical role of employment in successful integration. “Integration is best achieved by quickly taking up employment and learning the German language,” Wegner told Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). The CDU politician emphasized the need to reform existing rules, noting that it benefits no one …

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) has elected a new executive committee to steer its activities for the next two years. The election took place during the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), held from 7-10 November in Athens, Greece. The newly elected leadership for the 2024-2026 term succeeds the team led by Dr Bashir Obasekola, who served two consecutive …

The 2024 edition of Bazaar Berlin drew an impressive 35,000 visitors to the Berlin Exhibition Grounds from 6 to 10 November, offering a vibrant marketplace of unique goods from across the globe. With over 500 exhibitors representing 58 countries, the fair showcased a stunning array of handmade products, ranging from fashion and jewelry to home décor and artisanal foods. This …

Bavaria has unveiled a new initiative aimed at simplifying the immigration process for skilled workers to address the state’s urgent labour shortages. As from next year’s summer the recognition of foreign professional qualifications will be expedited. According to Social Minister Ulrike Scharf, the ‘Fast Lane’ initiative is designed to streamline bureaucratic procedures, reducing waiting times for skilled immigrants. It will …

In the first month since Germany began enforcing border checks across its land borders, about 1,000 people were denied entry. From 16 September to 20 October, the Federal Police recorded approximately 1,700 unauthorized entry attempts and apprehended around 30 suspected human smugglers, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. While open borders are standard within the Schengen zone, Germany …

In a world where so many Nigerians live far from their homeland, it can be hard to show up for those important moments in the lives of their loved ones. Whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, an anniversary or just because you miss someone, A cake-gifting service can help you send a sweet reminder that no matter where you are, …

Berlin witnessed a momentous occasion on the evening of 16 October 2024 as Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the dynamic mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, received the prestigious German Africa Award 2024. The President of the German Bundestag, Bärbel Bas, presented the award at the Allianz Forum, before an audience of about 180 guests, including influential figures from politics, business and civil society. …

The 7th Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) will take place from 5-7 November at the State House Conference Center, Presidential Villa, Abuja. This year’s theme, “Adapting Stability Through Diaspora Investment: Navigating The Path To Prosperity,” reflects the critical role that the Nigerian diaspora plays in shaping the nation’s economic stability and future development. The NDIS is convened by Nigerians in …

A new Change.org campaign, initiated by Uchechi Okwu-Kanu, wife of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is gaining momentum. The petition is directed to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and Attorney General Richard Kermer Q.C., urging them to use diplomatic and economic means to secure Kanu’s immediate release from Nigerian detention. Kanu, …

Media coverage of Africa has always been dominated by narratives of disease, poverty, conflict and political instability. These portrayals, rooted in colonial histories, continue to shape global perceptions and policy decisions. A recently published Global Media Index for Africa offers insights into how the continent is portrayed in global media. Produced by a University of Cape Town research team in …

Speaking at the 60th anniversary celebration of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group in Abidjan on 10 September, its President, Akinwumi Adesina, praised the bank’s achievements, calling it a day of joy. Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire, hosts the bank’s headquarters. Since its founding in 1964, the bank had supported over 6,500 projects across Africa, he said. In …

Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the mayor of Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone, has been awarded the German Africa Award for her innovative and unwavering commitment to sustainable urban development and local participation. The prize will be presented to the African politician by Bundestag President Bärbel Bas on 16 October 2024 at the Allianz Forum in Berlin. With her participatory approach …

The 5th Conference of the German Network for Forced Migration Studies took place from 16-18 September in Bonn, bringing together over 400 participants from around the world for in-depth discussions on forced migration. Maarit Thiem, who led the BICC organising team, addresses the conference’s opening/Photo: Seddy Saidykhan Researchers, practitioners, students, and stakeholders, including refugee and migrant organizations, explored the many …

A recent study commissioned by the German government has revealed that approximately one-third of police officers observed racist remarks made by colleagues within a one-year period. This finding is part of a comprehensive report on the everyday experiences and attitudes of police officers, conducted by the German Police University. The study (Motivation, Einstellung und Gewalt im Alltag von Polizeibeamtinnen und …

Germany and Kenya have recently signed a migration and labour agreement aimed at addressing Germany’s need for skilled workers while discouraging irregular migration. Signed in Berlin on 13 September 2024 by Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Dr Musalia Mudavadi, and witnessed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Kenyan President William Ruto, …