The federal government says it is committed to strengthening industrial cooperation with Germany in steel development, technology transfer, mineral processing and equipment manufacturing.

The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, said this on Thursday when he received a delegation of German Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), led by Dr Chux Onaa, Head of VDMA-German OEMs, in Abuja.

According to a statement signed by Ijomah Opia, on behalf of the head, press and public relations, in Abuja on Friday, the visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between Nigeria and Germany in the steel sector.

Mr Audu said the visit was an important step toward translating previous engagements between Nigeria and Germany into concrete areas of industrial collaboration and investment.

He recalled engagements at the Ninth German-African Economic Forum in Dortmund, Germany, where both countries explored cooperation in steel development, mining, mineral processing, engineering, technology transfer and industrial investments.

“The presence of the German delegation in Nigeria demonstrates the growing interest of German industries in the country’s industrial sector.

“It also presents an opportunity to build sustainable partnerships that will deliver tangible benefits to both nations,” he added.

The minister said Nigeria’s significant mineral resources and growing market presented opportunities for German industries to invest in the country’s steel and metallurgical sectors.

“The federal government, through the Ministry of Steel Development, is committed to creating an enabling environment for a competitive, technology-driven and sustainable steel industry.

“Such an industry is capable of supporting infrastructure development, manufacturing, job creation and economic diversification,” Mr Audu added.

He identified potential areas of collaboration, including modern technology deployment, equipment manufacturing, mineral processing, steel production, engineering services, capacity development, and local value-chain development.

Mr Audu said the ministry was interested in opportunities for German OEMs to participate in ongoing and emerging projects in Nigeria’s steel and metallurgical sectors.

He expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to the identification of specific areas of collaboration and partnerships capable of strengthening industrial development in both countries.

The minister reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to fostering stronger bilateral relations with Germany in the steel and metallurgical sectors.

Mr Audu expressed confidence that the engagement would further consolidate the longstanding relationship between the two countries and lead to concrete areas of collaboration.

In his remarks, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Steel Development, Nura Rimi, said the visit aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Mr Rimi said the President created the Ministry of Steel Development to revitalise the steel sector and drive the industrialisation of the country.

Earlier, Mr Onaa said the delegation’s visit aimed to strengthen areas of collaboration and investment to develop Nigeria’s steel sector.

“The organisation has the technology to support raw materials processing in the cement and building materials industry,” he added. 

(NAN)