By George Ozalla

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called for a stronger economic and diplomatic partnership between Nigeria and the Federal Republic of Germany, urging both countries to translate more than six decades of friendship and mutual trust into tangible benefits for their citizens.

Akpabio made the call in Abuja on Thursday when he received a delegation of the Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development of the German Bundestag (Parliament), led by Professor Wolfgang Stefinger, in his office.

In an address titled, “Let Friendship Become Factories,” the Senate President stressed that the time had come for both countries to move beyond diplomatic relations and deepen practical cooperation in industrial development, investment, electricity, technical education, security and job creation.

He said the visit reflected a shared conviction that the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Germany should deliver measurable benefits to the people of both countries.

“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,” he said.

Akpabio emphasised the important role of parliamentarians in sustaining bilateral relations, noting that while governments negotiate partnerships, parliaments provide the legislative backing, oversight and continuity required to ensure that agreements produce lasting results.

He therefore proposed the establishment of a structured Nigeria-Germany Parliamentary Dialogue, supported by regular committee exchanges and designated parliamentary contacts to sustain engagement beyond the visit.

On economic cooperation, Akpabio said Nigeria was seeking to expand production, strengthen its industrial base and create productive employment, while welcoming greater German investment in manufacturing, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, technology and infrastructure.

He explained that Nigeria was interested in partnerships that would promote local capacity development, facilitate technology transfer and connect Nigerian businesses to wider international markets.

According to him, Nigeria’s ambition should go beyond increasing trade with Germany to developing joint productive ventures that would strengthen both economies.

Akpabio identified costly financing, export-credit premiums and avoidable regulatory barriers as some of the obstacles limiting investment opportunities, calling for practical measures to address them.

He also urged German small and medium-sized enterprises to explore credible investment opportunities in collaboration with Nigerian businesses.

On electricity and energy development, the Senate President maintained that reliable power supply remained fundamental to industrialisation, stressing that businesses could not operate efficiently without a dependable electricity supply.

He expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for the Presidential Power Initiative being implemented in partnership with Siemens, while seeking accelerated delivery of its objectives and further German investment in renewable energy, natural gas and sustainable infrastructure.

“For us, improved electricity supply means more than additional capacity. It means longer productive hours, lower business costs and greater confidence to invest,” he stated.

Akpabio also identified technical education, vocational training and skills development as important areas for expanded bilateral cooperation, noting that Germany’s experience in apprenticeships and industry-linked training offered valuable opportunities for Nigerian youths.

He proposed stronger institutional connections between Nigerian educational institutions and 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,” he said.

On security, the Senate President called for stronger German cooperation with Nigeria in training, intelligence, surveillance, counterterrorism, border security and maritime protection, while emphasising the need to respect human rights.

He noted that a secure Nigeria would contribute to stability across West Africa and the Sahel, protect commercial activities and advance the common interests of both countries.

He equally urged both countries to ensure that development cooperation translated into sustainable enterprises, productive employment and measurable improvements in the living conditions of the people.

Addressing migration, Akpabio advocated expanded safe and lawful migration pathways, mutual recognition of professional qualifications and stronger efforts to combat human trafficking.

He further stressed that returns and reintegration processes should respect due process and human dignity, adding that the Nigerian diaspora and existing cultural ties remained important bridges between the two countries.

At the end of his address, the Senate President outlined five practical priorities which he expected the visit to advance.

These include sustained parliamentary dialogue, accelerated electricity and renewable energy cooperation, a skills and innovation partnership, improved access to investment and development finance, and the designation of parliamentary contacts to monitor and follow through on agreed actions.