By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to deepening economic and development cooperation with Germany, focusing on food security, industrialisation, investment, renewable energy, skills development and job creation.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a high-level meeting in Abuja between Nigerian government officials and a delegation of the German Bundestag Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development, led by Prof. Wolfgang Stefinger.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both countries to review existing bilateral partnerships, discuss Nigeria's economic reforms and identify new areas of cooperation.
The Nigerian delegation included the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh; Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Deborah Odoh.
Speaking at the meeting, Bagudu called for stronger Nigeria-Germany relations through increased trade, investment, technology transfer and development cooperation.
He appreciated Germany's continued support through development partners and international financial institutions, noting that both countries, as federal states, had valuable experiences to share in economic management, governance and institutional development.
The minister identified agriculture, vocational education, renewable energy, industrial development and the creative economy as key sectors requiring stronger collaboration.
He also stressed that peace, security, democratic governance and effective migration management were essential to achieving sustainable economic development.
Bagudu said stronger economic partnerships and productive investments would create employment, increase incomes and promote shared prosperity in both countries.
On his part, Kyari reaffirmed the Federal Government's determination to strengthen food security and transform the agricultural sector.
He outlined government efforts to increase local food production, reduce food imports and post-harvest losses, expand irrigation, improve access to agricultural financing and modern technologies, and encourage climate-resilient farming.
The minister also called for greater support for smallholder farmers, women and young people through mechanisation, research and agribusiness opportunities.
He noted that improved agricultural productivity would generate employment, strengthen rural economies and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
Similarly, Enoh said the government was committed to diversifying the economy through manufacturing, industrialisation, entrepreneurship, digital innovation and the creative economy.
He emphasised the need for effective industrial policies, investment promotion and technical and vocational training to strengthen local industries and create employment.
Enoh also acknowledged Germany's support, particularly through the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), in skills development and institutional capacity-building.
He identified opportunities to support small and medium-sized enterprises, expand creative industries and deepen bilateral cooperation to empower young Nigerians and attract investments.
Uzoka-Anite, in her remarks, appreciated Germany's support for Nigeria's economic reforms, stressing the importance of industrialisation, agricultural development, infrastructure investment and youth empowerment in creating jobs and reducing irregular migration.
She called for sustained development financing and stronger partnerships with German institutions, particularly through financing arrangements modelled on Germany's KfW framework.
Responding on behalf of the German delegation, Stefinger thanked the Nigerian government for its hospitality and reaffirmed Germany's readiness to strengthen bilateral relations.
He identified sustainable economic development, vocational training, security, renewable energy and healthcare infrastructure as priority areas of interest.
Stefinger also acknowledged Nigeria's economic potential and expressed optimism that both countries could benefit from sharing experiences in implementing economic reforms.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Deborah Odoh, welcomed the delegation and commended Germany's continued support for Nigeria in agriculture, renewable energy, skills development and institutional capacity-building.
She reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to aligning joint programmes with national development priorities to ensure that bilateral cooperation delivers sustainable benefits to citizens.