The Plateau Governor said as part of his administration’s commitment to fostering international collaboration for the development of Plateau State, The Governor said he had the privilege of meeting with the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Her Excellency Annette Günther, in Abuja. The Governor said this visit was an opportunity to deepen his partnership with the German Government, particularly in the areas of healthcare, agriculture, renewable energy, and peacebuilding—all of which are critical to the long-term growth and stability of our state.
The Governor expressed his profound appreciation for Germany’s ongoing support, especially in capacity-building initiatives for women and youth in modern agriculture. Plateau State is blessed with fertile land and hardworking people, and with the right investment and knowledge transfer, we can significantly enhance productivity, create jobs, and improve food security.
Additionally, the Governor reaffirmed Plateau’s commitment to participating in the upcoming Nigeria-Germany Cultural Exchange Program, which will further strengthen our ties and promote our rich cultural heritage. As part of the administration efforts to revitalize the creative sector, the Governor said the state is undertaking the reconstruction of the Luka Bentu Indoor Theatre, a project that will receive significant attention this year.
In the area of healthcare, the Governor emphasized the need to strengthen the state health infrastructure, train medical personnel, and integrate renewable energy solutions in the state hospitals to improve service delivery, enhance disease prevention, and reduce maternal mortality rates. The Governor said he sought Germany’s support in this regard, given its advanced healthcare system and experience in sustainable energy solutions.
Agriculture remains a top priority for his administration the Governor said, and to further unlock its potential, we are working with the Federal Government to expand the runway of Yakubu Gowon Airport. This expansion will enable us to transform the airport into a cargo hub for exporting agricultural produce to Europe and beyond, creating new economic opportunities for our farmers.
Recognizing the importance of the digital economy, the Governor said he also discussed the state ICT development plans with the German Government. Plateau State is collaborating with the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to improve digital infrastructure, and I sought Germany’s support in accelerating this process to build a more robust digital ecosystem that will drive innovation and job creation.
The Governor said he is pleased by the positive response from Ambassador Günther, who commended his administration’s vision and assured the Governor of Germany’s continued support, particularly in agriculture, peacebuilding, and digital capacity-building. She highlighted the impact of German-funded training programs that have already benefited over 4,000 farmers in Plateau State, including 40% women, and encouraged us to explore more opportunities in education, especially through student exchange programs.
Furthermore, the German Development Agency (GIZ) is actively funding the Peace Corps Project, which aligns with our government’s commitment to enhancing peace and security in Plateau State. Through this partnership, we will strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms and foster sustainable peace across our communities.
The Governor said he remains committed to leveraging strategic international partnerships to drive development and create opportunities for the people of Plateau State. Our engagement with the German Government is just one of many steps in our broader vision to transform our state into a hub of economic growth, innovation, and prosperity.