A delegation from Germany’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Giessen-Friedberg) will visit Nigeria from November 2 to 14 as part of an expanded effort to deepen collaboration with the Federal Government on youth skills development, vocational training and trade. Announced during a virtual news conference, the visit aims to translate nearly two decades of bilateral cooperation into concrete programmes that will strengthen Nigeria’s technical and on-the-job training capacity. Dr. Matthias Leder, President of the German Chamber, said the delegation would hold meetings with federal ministers, private-sector representatives and trade organisations to explore ways of scaling up dual-vocational training in partnership with Nigerian firms Officials from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Ministry of Youth Development reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to adopting elements of Germany’s dual apprenticeship system. Among the proposals is integrating such a model with the National Talent Export Programme (NTEP) and other skilling initiatives to address youth unemployment and stem irregular migration. In particular, the partnership is expected to facilitate structured pathways for vocational training that combine classroom-based instruction with firm-based placements, potentially enabling skilled labour mobility to Germany and other international markets. The planned visit builds on existing collaborative projects between IHK and Nigerian institutions, which have previously delivered training programmes to support both youth employability and private-sector capacity building. Local trade bodies are seeking to use the opportunity to strengthen industry linkages, align certification standards, and open access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to German supply chains. While analysts welcomed the renewed focus on skills and trade, they cautioned that successful adoption of Germany’s model would require sustained investment in instructor training, accredited curriculum development, workplace mentors, and regulatory frameworks. If properly implemented, the collaboration could expand the number of Nigerian youths equipped with industry-ready competencies, reduce pressures driving emigration, and forge stronger bi-lateral trade relationships — but coordination across government ministries, chambers of commerce and private employers will be essential.
