The House of Representatives has called for stronger economic cooperation between Nigeria and Germany, with emphasis on trade, investment, industrial development, skills acquisition and technology transfer.
The Chairman of the Nigeria-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mr Munachim Umezuruike, made the call during a meeting with a delegation of members of the German Bundestag Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development in Abuja.
Umezuruike, represented by Mr Joshua Audu Gana, commended the German delegation for including Nigeria in its working visit to Africa despite its busy legislative schedule in Berlin.
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He said the visit demonstrated Germany’s commitment to strengthening relations with Nigeria, describing the country as one of Nigeria’s reliable strategic partners in Europe.
Umezuruike noted that Nigeria and Germany had maintained diplomatic relations since 1960, adding that the relationship had evolved into a development partnership.
On trade, he said Germany was Nigeria’s second-largest trading partner in Europe, with bilateral trade exceeding three billion euros, but stressed the need to address the trade imbalance and explore untapped opportunities.
He called for a shift from the export of raw materials to joint production, noting that Nigeria’s large population and position as Africa’s largest economy offered significant investment opportunities.
The lawmaker also highlighted reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, including fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification and tax reforms, which he said were aimed at improving the business environment.
He invited German investors to explore opportunities in manufacturing, industrialisation, agriculture, food processing, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurship.
Umezuruike also commended Germany’s development cooperation through the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), KfW Development Bank and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
He identified human capital development as a priority, particularly technical and vocational education, youth employment, digital skills and technology transfer.
The lawmaker called for collaboration to adapt Germany’s dual vocational training model to Nigeria, while equipping young people with skills for the global digital economy.
On climate and energy transition, he described Germany’s growing interest in Nigeria’s green hydrogen potential as an opportunity for mutually beneficial cooperation.
He urged both countries to strengthen partnerships in renewable energy, clean cooking solutions and climate-smart infrastructure.
Umezuruike further stressed the need for joint efforts to address insecurity, poverty, climate change and irregular migration, noting that economic opportunities and skills development could help tackle some of the factors driving migration.
He acknowledged Germany’s support for peace-building, humanitarian assistance in Nigeria’s North-East and the Multinational Joint Task Force.
To strengthen parliamentary relations, the Chairman proposed three measures: structured annual dialogue between the friendship groups of both parliaments, joint legislative oversight of bilateral agreements, and increased people-to-people exchanges.
He said such initiatives would promote accountability, strengthen cooperation and encourage partnerships among businesses, universities, students and researchers.
The Nigeria-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Group reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to strengthening the partnership for the mutual benefit of both countries.
