Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has intensified calls for a strategic shift in Africa-Europe relations, advocating a “near-shoring” model to address migration and economic challenges during a high-level meeting with Nicolae Ştefănuță.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Istanbul, brought together key officials from Nigeria and the European Parliament to deepen bilateral cooperation between Africa and the European Union.
According to a statement by the Deputy Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the engagement is part of a series of sustained diplomatic exchanges aimed at strengthening intercontinental partnerships.
Kalu used the platform to push for “near-shoring” — a development approach that encourages European industries to establish operations within Africa rather than outsourcing labour externally. He argued that such a model would address the root causes of migration while boosting economic growth on the continent.
“Africa’s youthful population presents a major opportunity to meet Europe’s workforce demands, but investments in industrial and technological infrastructure must be made within Africa to create jobs locally,” Kalu said.
He further urged a departure from traditional aid-based relations, advocating instead for a framework built on equal partnership and mutual respect, which he described as “co-communication.”
Friday’s meeting builds on previous engagements between both parties. In July 2025, Kalu visited Brussels for a week-long dialogue with European lawmakers, followed by reciprocal visits from EU Parliament delegations to Abuja in late 2025 and March 2026, focusing on implementing his policy recommendations.
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Both delegations agreed to sustain regular engagements across multiple levels to advance shared interests, particularly in economic cooperation, migration management, and institutional partnerships.
Kalu was accompanied by senior aides, including Chief of Staff Sam Hart and Special Adviser on Interparliamentary Affairs, Dr. Salome Ossia, while Ştefănuță’s team included top European Parliament officials overseeing international partnerships and external policy.
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