POLITICAL Economy

Akpabio Proposes Five Steps To Strengthen Nigeria-Germany Relations

by admin on | 2026-10-30 19:03:36

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 4

By Muhammad Bala Imam

Towards realising a prosperous and mutually beneficial relationship between Nigeria and Germany, Nigerian Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has put forward five concrete, actionable charges to lead engagements.

He gave highlights during a courtesy visit to him by a delegation from the German Bundestag’s Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development, led by Professor Wolfgang Stefinger, in Abuja.

Senator Akpabio suggested " Sustained Strategic Parliamentary Dialogue ": institutionalise continuous engagement and policy alignment between the German Bundestag and the Nigerian National Assembly to drive bilateral legislation and policy execution.

He also put forward Accelerate Electricity & Renewable Energy Projects to fast-track the delivery of the Presidential Power Initiative with Siemens to modernise Nigeria’s power grid, complemented by joint investments in gas and sustainable renewable energy infrastructure.

He also called for the establishment of a Skills & Innovation Partnership to transfer technical knowledge in engineering, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and vocational entrepreneurship directly to Nigeria’s young population to cultivate a globally competitive workforce.

The Senate President noted that Expanding Flexible Investment & Development Financing would dismantle structural obstacles—including high financing costs, elevated export credit premiums, and regulatory barriers—to make it viable for German SMEs to invest alongside Nigerian enterprises.

He stressed that there was a need to Designate Dedicated Parliamentary Contacts by appointing specific legislative liaisons and tracking committees on both sides to enforce accountability, ensure follow-through, and monitor the implementation of agreed deliverables.

He also sought Bridging of Borders: Turning Trust into Factories and Jobs

" As President of the Senate, my primary commitment to the people of Nigeria is unlocking sustainable, productive employment. We stand at a pivotal moment in our history where economic growth must be driven by industrialization rather than mere consumption. Welcoming deeper German investment across manufacturing, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, technology, and infrastructure forms the bedrock of our strategy to transition from a nation that consumes goods to one that produces them.

" Our ambition extends far beyond simple bilateral trade balances; we seek genuine partnerships that build local capacity and transfer cutting-edge technology. Connecting Nigerian enterprises to markets outside our national borders requires working closely with industrial leaders like Germany. We are determined to address the historic obstacles keeping willing investors apart—chiefly costly financing, high export credit premiums, and avoidable regulatory bottlenecks that hamper growth". Senator Akpabio said.

He said that energy remains central to every industrial dream, as no nation can build modern factories at the mercy of an unreliable grid.

" Every small business requires electricity and operational certainty to thrive and employ our populace. To this end, our legislature supports the accelerated delivery of the Presidential Power Initiative with Siemens of Germany—a mandate explicitly passed to the German diplomatic mission to ensure power translates into longer productive hours, lower operational costs, and investor confidence". He said.

He also said that the true power of Nigeria lies in the potential of the young population.

" Through legislative milestones such as the Not Too Young to Run Act, we successfully lowered the age limit for federal parliamentarians down to 25 years. This historic law opened the gates of the legislature to vibrant young minds, ensuring that the youth are no longer passive observers but active architects in the governance of their own country". He said.

Senator Akpabio also noted that Nigeria is striving to build a more inclusive assembly.

" Observing the impressive gender representation within visiting German parliamentary delegations highlights where Nigeria must do better. We are actively pushing legislative frameworks to guarantee greater inclusion of women across parliament in Nigeria, recognising that inclusive democratic governance is vital for balanced national development". He noted.

He prayed that the historic visit be remembered not merely for words spoken in parliamentary chambers, but for the economic doors it unlocks and the commitments it brings to fruition.

" Together, by focusing on power, technical innovation, financing, and human capital, we can ensure that our bilateral friendship yields enduring prosperity for the people of both Nigeria and Germany". Senator Akpabio added.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from the German Bundestag’s Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development, Professor Wolfgang Stefinger reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Nigeria.

He highlighted sustainable economic development, vocational training, security, renewable energy, and healthcare infrastructure as key areas of interest.

He reiterated the resolve to deepening the longstanding Nigeria–Germany partnership to advance sustainable development and mutual prosperity.