The Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Giessen-Friedberg, Germany, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening vocational education, entrepreneurship, and institutional development in Nigeria.

Matthias Leder, the chief executive officer (CEO) of IHK Giessen-Friedberg, during a virtual media conference, said this was being done through sustained bilateral cooperation and private sector partnerships.

The renewed pledge follows two decades of collaboration between the IHK and Nigerian institutions to promote youth skills development, dual vocational training, and enterprise competitiveness in line with international best practices.

Mr Leder said the partnership had produced a measurable impact in vocational education and private sector growth since 2005, with more than 600 individuals directly trained through the chamber’s various intervention programmes.

He said the cooperation had grown stronger in recent years, largely due to the efforts of Nigeria’s former minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed.

The CEO said Mr Mohammed’s leadership efforts helped elevate the partnership between both countries to a new strategic level.

According to him, the chamber has undertaken two official missions to Nigeria annually in the last two years.

Mr Leder said Nigerian delegations equally participated in Germany’s international business conference, ‘The World Meets in Giessen’, which brought together entrepreneurs, policy-makers and development experts from across continents.

He said that the visit of the IHK delegation to Nigeria aimed to consolidate the gains achieved so far and explore opportunities for scaling up the partnership in scope and impact.

The German chamber boss said discussions were ongoing with senior government officials to strengthen the framework for long-term cooperation.

He named some of the officials to include the ministers of labour and employment; youth development; education; foreign affairs; budget and economic planning; and industry, trade and investment.

Mr Leder said that the chamber successfully implemented the Vocational Training Partnership Project (BBP) from 2012 to 2018 in partnership with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

He said the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Ogun State Chamber (OGUNCCIMA), the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigerian-German Business Association (NGBA) also collaborated in the implementation.

“The project helped institutionalise the dual vocational training model in Nigeria, bridging practical industry skills with classroom learning and improving employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

“In addition, the Chamber Partnership Project (KVP), renewed in 2023, has strengthened local chambers through digitalisation, advocacy, and new member services.

“The services include business management training, access to finance, and women entrepreneurship programmes among others,” he said.

Mr Leder said new initiatives such as the German-Nigerian Hospitality Training Project inauguration in 2025, would provide selected young Nigerians with professional training opportunities in Germany’s hospitality sector.

“The programme includes language and intercultural orientation, followed by structured apprenticeships in Germany.

“The IHK Giessen-Friedberg’s institutional enrichment model seeks to empower Nigerian chambers to manage vocational training and certification services while generating revenue through modest levies on registered businesses,” he said.

Mr Leder emphasised that such reforms would enhance youth employability, improve workforce skills, and boost Nigeria’s overall economic productivity.

He described the Nigeria–Germany partnership as a model of sustainable international cooperation anchored on skills, innovation, and shared prosperity.

He reiterated that the partnership had continued to demonstrate how strategic vocational education could drive inclusive growth and economic stability.

(NAN)