By Fatima Saka
Abuja, Nigeria — The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for strengthened technology transfer and local manufacturing partnerships between Nigeria and European countries as a strategic approach to job creation and curbing irregular migration.
Kalu made the appeal while receiving a delegation of European parliamentarians under the First Step Forum, led by Marc Jost, during a courtesy visit aimed at deepening bilateral relations and addressing shared global challenges. He stressed that Nigeria’s vast natural resources and youthful population could be better harnessed through deliberate industrial collaboration.
Advocating the economic model of near-shoring, the Deputy Speaker urged European partners to relocate technology, capital, and industrial operations closer to resource-rich regions such as Africa. According to him, this approach would enable Nigeria to transition from exporting raw materials to producing finished goods locally, thereby creating jobs and strengthening the economy.
“We have a huge population within our youth demography. You have the capital and the technology; we have the raw materials. The question is why are we not practising what the economy calls near-shoring?” Kalu said.
He explained that near-shoring involves situating production processes within countries that generate primary resources instead of exporting them in raw form. Using cocoa production as an example, Kalu noted that Nigeria should process its cocoa into finished products like chocolate domestically rather than exporting raw beans.
“Why should I export my cocoa to you when you can bring your technology and finance here to turn it into chocolate? Let our cocoa farms become chocolate factories. That is value addition, that is job creation,” he added.
Kalu also highlighted Nigeria’s significant lithium deposits, describing them as globally competitive and critical to the clean energy transition. He called for partnerships that would support local battery production, positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global electric vehicle supply chain.
On broader relations, the lawmaker urged a reset in Africa-Europe engagement, advocating a future built on mutual respect, shared prosperity, and forward-looking collaboration rather than historical grievances.
READ ALSO: 2026 World TB Day: Mrs Soludo Urges Residents to Access Free Treatment, Act Early
Addressing Nigeria’s diversity, Kalu described the country’s religious and cultural plurality as a strength that enhances inclusive governance and balanced decision-making.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting religious harmony, noting that the administration’s policies and symbolic actions reflect a commitment to unity across faiths.
About The Author
