The Federal Government has commended Germany for supporting Nigeria’s efforts to reduce irregular migration through vocational and skills training initiatives designed to empower young Nigerians with employable skills and promote structured labour mobility.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with Dr Matthias Leder, Chief Executive Officer of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHK) Giessen-Friedberg.
Dingyadi noted that the collaboration would foster legal labour migration, strengthen vocational education, and create meaningful employment opportunities for Nigerian youths aspiring to contribute productively to national development.
“This initiative aligns with our commitment to equip young people with practical, employable skills. It’s a win-win for Nigeria and Germany, reducing irregular migration among job-seeking youths,” Dingyadi stated.
He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to promoting technical and vocational education as a sustainable means of achieving productive employment, entrepreneurship, and lawful migration pathways beneficial to both nations.
According to the minister, Nigeria is ready to deepen cooperation with the German Chambers of Commerce to promote structured migration through training exchanges and professional development programmes between the two countries.
He highlighted Germany’s dual vocational training model—which combines classroom learning with hands-on industrial experience—as a model Nigeria seeks to adopt to enhance its workforce development framework.
Dingyadi announced that 18 young Nigerians had been selected for the pilot phase of the dual vocational training programme in Germany, describing it as a milestone in legal migration and youth empowerment.
“We will celebrate these 18 trainees in Lagos on November 12. They represent a new chapter in safe, structured migration and youth empowerment,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Matthias Leder explained that the initiative forms part of Germany’s broader strategy to promote legal migration through technical training and bilateral cooperation in workforce development.
He revealed that 300 Nigerian youths were shortlisted for the scheme, with only 18 selected after a rigorous two-stage process involving aptitude tests and interviews.
“All participants passed the first level of German language proficiency (A1) and will continue to B2 before travelling to Germany,” Leder added.
He further noted that the trainees would earn while learning under Germany’s dual system, combining technical education with on-the-job experience to build both income and professional capacity.
Leder expressed optimism that the collaboration would deepen Nigeria–Germany relations and pave the way for future opportunities for Nigerian youths pursuing skills-based, lawful migration to Europe.
