The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced plans for a strategic collaboration between Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education and the Giessen-Friedberg Chamber of Commerce in Germany to utilize the skills of Nigerian Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates to address Germany’s skilled manpower shortage.
Alausa disclosed this when he received a delegation from the Chamber, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Matthias Leder, in Abuja, according to a statement issued by the German Chamber of Commerce (GCOC) on Wednesday.
The minister said the partnership would serve as a mutually beneficial initiative, providing employment opportunities for qualified Nigerian youth while supporting Germany’s growing need for skilled technical workers across various sectors.
He noted that Nigeria has invested significantly in expanding its TVET institutions to equip young people with practical, industry-relevant skills.
However, he added that global partnerships such as the one with Germany would help bridge the gap between training and international work experience.
“This collaboration will not only create pathways for our TVET graduates to gain international exposure but also strengthen our vocational education system to meet global standards,” Alausa said.
“It is a win-win for both nations — Germany gains skilled manpower, while Nigeria gains employment opportunities and increased foreign exchange inflow.”
In his remarks, Dr. Matthias Leder commended the quality of Nigeria’s TVET programmes and expressed optimism about the potential of Nigerian graduates to thrive in Germany’s industrial sectors. He emphasized that the collaboration would be built on structured training, certification, and mutual recognition of professional standards.
Leder also noted that the initiative aligns with Germany’s broader effort to attract qualified professionals from around the world to fill critical roles in manufacturing, engineering, and healthcare.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to establish a technical working group to outline the modalities for the partnership, including training alignment, certification processes, and mobility frameworks for Nigerian skilled workers.
