Lagos - German President Horst Koehler, nearing the end of a six-day visit to Nigeria, on Tuesday praised the African country for its strong forward-looking orientation.

In the southern city of Lagos, Koehler said that his visit had helped him to the realization that the country had a great deal of strength in moving forwards.

The German president said that, after the end of its military dictatorship, Nigeria was now in the third phase of democratisation. More than some other countries, Nigeria had understood that the future in a globalised world must be shaped in "genuine partnership."

But he also made it clear that Western countries also had to take a new look at what genuine partnership meant.

Koehler's visit to Nigeria, ending on Wednesday has been devoted to boosting bilateral German-Nigerian ties. On Monday, the German companies Lufthansa and E. ON signed framework agreements for future cooperation with the African country. (dpa)