Weert Borner, the Consul General from the German Embassy, paid a courtesy visit to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun in Abeokuta on Thursday, announcing Germany's intention to strengthen its relationship with the state, particularly in the areas of agricultural production and energy transition.

"The main areas we are looking to enhance cooperation between Ogun State and Germany are agriculture, focusing on improving production methods, sustainability, and environmental friendliness, as well as supporting the state in achieving food security for Nigeria," Borner stated.

He continued, "The second area of focus is energy transition, aiming to bolster the development of renewable energy and grid infrastructure in Nigeria."

Governor Dapo Abiodun responded by expressing his administration's interest in partnering with Germany, especially in the realm of mechanized farming. He mentioned that the state government would support small-scale farmers through eight extension services, providing them with training on agricultural practices.

"We are open to exploring partnerships with the German government, particularly in mechanized farming and the provision of equipment such as tractors to enhance our agricultural productivity," Governor Abiodun remarked. "Our objective is to position Ogun State as a key contributor to Nigeria's food security agenda, and we are actively seeking partners to achieve this goal."

He added, "We believe that with the right support, Ogun State can become a significant contributor to the nation's food production. We have ambitious plans to make significant progress in this regard within the next 12 months, and we welcome partners who can assist us in realizing our objectives."