Leder: Like Germany, Nigeria Can Achieve Low Unemployment Rate with Public Private Sector Collaboration

Peter Uzoho

The Chief Executive Officer of the Germany’s Giessen-Friedberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Matthias Leder has expressed optimism that with active collaboration of public and private sector players, Nigeria”s high unemployment rate could drop to that of Germany.

Leder said his chamber was currently
collaborating with Nigeria’s Organised Private Sector (OPS) on a dual vocational training scheme aimed at reducing the country’s unemployment rate, which currently exceeds 20 per cent.

The German stated this in Lagos during a session at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), noting that the European nation successfully brought its unemployment rate below five percent through its vocational training model.

He expressed confidence that similar programme could benefit Nigerian youths by empowering them economically.

“Vocational training has proved to be very successful in Germany from day one, and that is why we can boast of less than five percent unemployment.

“Nigeria has a high unemployment rate, but with the support and collaboration of both the public and private sectors, we can replicate this success for Nigerian youths,” Leder said.

He explained that under the proposed initiative, Nigerian apprentices will work three days a week in a company and spend two days at a vocational training school to gain hands-on experience while receiving formal education.

According to him, the programme is not only designed to address skill shortages in Nigeria but could also provide employment opportunities in Germany, where there is currently a manpower deficit.

He said his chamber was rallying Nigerian chambers of commerce to support industrialisation and address youth unemployment adding that “Dual Vocational Training could benefit both Nigeria and Germany.”

Leder explained that in Germany, where unemployment is below five per cent, apprentices gain real-world experience from the start, making them more employable.

He also discussed labour migration, noting that skilled Nigerians who meet specific qualifications, including language proficiency, could secure well-paying jobs in Germany and across Europe.

Also speaking, Head of Competence Center Africa, at the German Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Kirsten Albrecht said a structured plan has already been developed with Nigerian chambers to implement the vocational training project.

She explained that the initiative would strengthen the partner institutions’ capacity, improve services for member companies, and foster national and international exchange.

Albrecht emphasised the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s business chambers to support economic growth.

She explained that in Germany, chambers play a crucial role in advocating for businesses, ensuring they receive the necessary support, policies and investment opportunities to thrive.

“What we are doing is teaming up as chambers to strengthen the Nigerian chamber movement.

She said the essence of the chamber collaboration with three Nigerian chambers-the National Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), LCCI, and the Ogun Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agricukture (OGUNCCIMA) was to ensure that businesses in Nigeria have a strong and unified voice.

Managing Partner at Bruit Costaud and Nigeria’s former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, called on international investors to look beyond oil and focus on Nigeria’s booming creative industry, which he believes could become the country’s biggest economic driver.