The President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, has called for stronger bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the Federal Republic of Germany, stressing the need to translate decades of diplomatic friendship into tangible investments, industrial growth, employment opportunities and shared prosperity.
Dr. Akpabio made the call on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development of the German Bundestag (Parliament), led by Professor Wolfgang Stefinger, during a courtesy visit to his office.
In an address titled, “Let Friendship Become Factories,” the Senate President noted that Nigeria and Germany had spent more than six decades building friendship and mutual trust, stressing that the time had come to transform the relationship into greater economic opportunities and measurable benefits for citizens of both countries.
According to him, the challenge before both nations was to turn friendship into factories, trust into investment and cooperation into jobs.
“Today, our responsibility is to translate that foundation into greater opportunities, stronger institutions and shared prosperity for our peoples.
“As we meet and share experience, let us have a stronger partnership in the areas of electricity that powers businesses, the skills that secure our livelihoods, and the jobs that sustain families,” Dr. Akpabio stated.
The Senate President emphasised the strategic role of parliamentarians in strengthening bilateral relations, noting that while governments negotiate partnerships, parliaments provide the legislative framework, oversight and budgetary support required to ensure continuity, accountability and sustainable outcomes.
To this end, he proposed the establishment of a structured Nigeria–Germany Parliamentary Dialogue, supported by regular committee exchanges and designated parliamentary contacts to sustain engagements beyond the current visit.
Speaking on Nigeria’s economic aspirations, President Senator Akpabio said the country was determined to expand production, strengthen industrial capacity and create productive employment opportunities for its growing population.
He welcomed increased German investment in manufacturing, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, technology and infrastructure, particularly partnerships capable of strengthening local capacity, facilitating technology transfer and connecting Nigerian enterprises to international markets.
“Our economic ambition is clear. We seek to expand production, strengthen industry and create productive employment for our people.
“We seek not merely to trade more with Germany, but to produce more with Germany,” he declared.
The Chairman of the National Assembly further identified costly financing, export-credit premiums and avoidable regulatory barriers as obstacles requiring deliberate attention to unlock greater investment opportunities between both countries.
He expressed the need for German small and medium-sized enterprises to explore credible opportunities for collaboration with Nigerian businesses.
On energy cooperation, the Senate President described reliable electricity as indispensable to Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda, stressing that sustainable economic development could not be achieved without adequate and dependable power supply.
“Energy is central to this ambition. No economy can industrialise at the mercy of unreliable electricity. Every factory needs power; every small business needs certainty,” he stated.
Dr. Akpabio acknowledged the importance of the Presidential Power Initiative with Siemens and called for accelerated implementation of its objectives, alongside increased investment in renewable energy, natural gas and sustainable infrastructure.
He explained that improved electricity supply would translate into longer productive hours, reduced business costs and greater investor confidence.
The Senate President also advocated stronger cooperation in technical education, vocational training, apprenticeships and industry-linked skills development, drawing attention to Germany’s experience in these areas.
He called for partnerships connecting Nigerian educational institutions with German technical colleges, industries and employers, particularly in engineering, digital technology, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship.
“The most enduring investment in our partnership will be the skills we place in the hands of the next generation,” Dr. Akpabio remarked.
On security, the Senate President appreciated Germany’s existing cooperation with Nigeria and sought enhanced collaboration in intelligence gathering, surveillance, counterterrorism, border security, maritime protection and specialised training, with due regard for human rights.
He maintained that a secure Nigeria would contribute significantly to stability across West Africa and the Sahel, strengthen international commerce and advance the shared interests of both nations.
Dr. Akpabio equally stressed the importance of development cooperation that delivers sustainable enterprises, productive employment and measurable improvements in the living conditions of citizens.
Addressing migration, he advocated expanded safe and lawful migration pathways, recognition of professional qualifications and stronger collaboration against human trafficking.
He emphasised that migration management, including returns and reintegration, must respect due process and human dignity, while recognising the Nigerian diaspora and existing cultural ties as valuable bridges between both countries.
As a practical outcome of the visit, Akpabio proposed five priority areas to guide future engagements between Nigeria and Germany.
These include sustained parliamentary dialogue; accelerated cooperation in electricity and renewable energy; strengthened skills development and innovation partnerships; improved access to investment and development finance; and the designation of parliamentary contacts to monitor and facilitate implementation of agreed actions.
The Senate President expressed optimism that deeper parliamentary and economic cooperation between both nations would strengthen bilateral relations and deliver enduring benefits to their citizens.
He reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian National Assembly to supporting initiatives that promote industrialisation, economic growth, technological advancement and sustainable development.
The engagement underscores Nigeria’s determination to deepen its longstanding relationship with Germany through mutually beneficial partnerships that translate diplomatic goodwill into practical economic opportunities.
EmemMaria Ntedodom Offiong nipr
Deputy Director (Head: Information, Press and Public Relations)
+2347082203400
Emy.offiong@fmino.gov.ng
29th October, 2026.
