German Language and Public Administration: Training Needs of Nigerian Civil Servants in Federal Agencies

This study assesses the German language training needs of civil servants in Nigerian federal agencies that regularly interface with German government institutions, development banks, and bilateral aid programmes, with a particular focus on staff in the Federal Ministries of Finance, Agriculture, and Industry, Trade and Investment. Germany is one of Nigeria's most significant bilateral development partners, channelling official development assistance through multiple government-to-government channels. Despite the frequency and significance of German-Nigerian intergovernmental exchanges, the German language capacity of Nigerian civil servants involved in these partnerships has not been formally assessed. The study employs a needs analysis framework, administering a structured questionnaire to 80 civil servants in the target ministries and conducting in-depth interviews with ten directors and deputy directors responsible for bilateral partnership management. Findings reveal that German language proficiency is extremely limited among the target civil servant population, and that most official communication with German partners is managed through English or through diplomatic interpreters. However, participants report that German language ability would enhance the quality of informal exchanges, site visits, and bilateral review meetings. The study recommends the establishment of a civil service German language programme coordinated through the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies. Keywords: German language training, civil servants, public administration, bilateral partnerships, federal agencies.