By Ogochukwu Isioma
In a renewed push to drive agricultural transformation and sustainable development, the Edo State Government has opened strategic talks with the Federal Republic of Germany to explore deeper bilateral ties focused on investment, technical cooperation, and agribusiness development.
The high-level meeting, held on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the German Embassy in Abuja, was led by the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Golden Ugbodu, and the Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy, His Excellency Johannes Lehne.
Also present were Dr. Karin Jansen, First Secretary and Head of Cooperation at the Embassy; Britta van Erckelens, Programme Manager of GIZ’s Skills Development for Youth Employment (SKYE); and Mr. Emmanuel Sule, Personal Assistant to the Special Adviser.
Speaking on the essence of the meeting, Mr. Ugbodu stated that the engagement is part of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s strategic efforts to reposition Edo’s agricultural sector in alignment with his administration’s 5-point ‘SHINE’ agenda, which prioritizes food security and sustainable agriculture.
“We want to leverage the expertise of Germany in modernizing our agricultural practices—particularly through the use of industrial machines for large-scale farming and processing,” the Special Adviser said.
“Our goal is to attract German investors to tap into Edo State’s lucrative agribusiness ecosystem, spanning from cultivation and processing to export. This aligns with Governor Okpebholo’s vision of creating a food-secure Edo where citizens have access to nutritious food and thriving economic opportunities,” Ugbodu added.
The discussions covered possible technical support, youth skills development, and areas where Edo State can benefit from Germany’s extensive experience in mechanized farming and agricultural innovation.
Germany, through its development cooperation arm GIZ, has remained a key partner in Nigeria’s youth employment and skills development landscape, especially in agriculture and vocational training. The Friday meeting is expected to serve as a springboard for future collaborations that will open up the state’s agricultural value chain to international investment and innovation.
The engagement signals another major step in Edo State’s drive to build robust, mutually beneficial international partnerships aimed at accelerating economic growth, job creation, and food sufficiency.
