The Federal Republic of Germany has launched a pilot initiative aimed at equipping young Nigerians with specialised skills in the hospitality sector to promote legal migration and strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
Funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the African Skills 4 Germany project is implemented by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria (AHK Nigeria) in partnership with IHK Giessen-Friedberg, the GIZ Centre for Migration and Development, and the Goethe Institute.
Speaking at the project event in Lagos, German Consul General, Mr. Daniel Krull, said the programme was designed to empower 18 Nigerian youths through technical, language, and cultural training to enhance their employability and prepare them for professional roles in Germany.
According to Krull, the collaboration responds to Germany’s rapidly aging population and the rising demand for young, skilled workers, while leveraging Nigeria’s vast pool of talented and ambitious youth.
“Germany has a fast-aging population with growing demand for a younger workforce, while Nigeria has a young and dynamic population seeking opportunities. This partnership creates a structured and mutually beneficial pathway for legal migration,” he said.
Krull added that the project covers not only vocational and language training but also personality development to ensure smooth integration of participants into German society.
Project Lead for African Skills 4 Germany, Mr. Andreas Mertenbacher, said more than 350 Nigerians applied for the programme, out of which 18 were selected after a rigorous process. He noted that the trainees would receive salaries to cover their living expenses while in Germany, with all other costs funded by the German government.
“The aim is to create a model that works. Once successful, we plan to expand into other sectors such as mechatronics and information technology,” Mertenbacher said.
Also speaking, Mr. Adedotun Adeoye, the Nigerian Project Lead, explained that participants would undergo a dual system of education combining classroom learning and hands-on experience in German hospitality companies. He noted that the programme could inspire a knowledge exchange that strengthens Nigeria’s hospitality sector when beneficiaries return.
German Language Instructor at the Goethe Institute, Mrs. Adeniyi Taiwo, described the initiative as a milestone in Germany–Nigeria relations, urging Nigerians to embrace legal pathways to migration.
Two participants, Mr. Manuel Wisdom and Ms. Folashade Adedeji, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that the programme would enable them to gain international exposure, promote cultural exchange, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
