Table of Contents
- Commitment to Vocational Training
- Partnership with Nigerian Institutions
- Virtual Press Briefing
- Upcoming Meetings
- Panel Discussion Participation
- Challenges for Nigerian Chambers
- Benefits of a Revised Chamber System
The Chamber of Industry and Commerce, IHK, Giessen-Friedberg, Germany, on Thursday reaffirmed its enduring commitment to enhancing vocational training, institutional development, and collaboration with the private sector in Nigeria.
This announcement follows two decades of continuous partnership between the German Chamber of Commerce and key Nigerian institutions focused on promoting youth skills development, entrepreneurship, and international business collaboration.
During a virtual press briefing on Thursday, Dr. Matthias Leder, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the chamber, stated that the longstanding relationship has significantly expanded in recent years.
He emphasized that these interactions have strengthened mutual understanding between the two nations and created new opportunities for investment, trade, and skills transfer.
Dr. Leder mentioned that the current visit of the German team to Nigeria aims to solidify the progress made thus far and identify opportunities to enhance the partnership in both scale and scope.
The German delegation is scheduled to meet with Nigeria’s Ministers of Labour and Employment; Youth Development; Education; Foreign Affairs; Budget and Economic Planning; and Industry, Trade, and Investment.
A former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was the keynote speaker in 2024 on “The Event Industry as an Emerging Sector in Nigeria,” will once again participate as a panelist in 2025 as both sides work to solidify achievements and broaden opportunities.
Furthermore, Dr. Leder remarked that Nigerian chambers face significant challenges within the current institutional framework, stating, “If they want to offer Dual Vocational Training (DVT) similar to that of German chambers, they need to identify companies willing and qualified to train young students.
“They must then organize examinations and ensure comparable quality standards. Currently, Nigerian companies do not voluntarily pay for these services.
“As a result, these services are not being provided, as they are viewed as public goods.
“To sustainably provide DVT across substantial parts of Nigeria, Nigerian chambers require some form of institutional enhancement.
“This enhancement could involve empowering the chambers to offer certain services in the area of DVT. In exchange, the chambers would be granted the authority to charge a fee from each registered company.”
He highlighted the potential advantages of a revised chamber system, including reduced unemployment rates, particularly among youth, improved workforce skills, increased tax revenue, and greater economic and social stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the partnership between the German Chamber of Commerce and Nigeria?
The partnership primarily focuses on enhancing vocational training, youth skills development, entrepreneurship, and fostering international business collaboration.
What are the benefits of a revised chamber system for Nigeria?
A revised chamber system could lead to lower unemployment, particularly among youth, better-skilled workers, increased tax revenue, and enhanced economic and social stability.
