The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for increased technology transfer and local manufacturing partnerships with European countries as a strategy to boost job creation and curb irregular migration in Nigeria.
Kalu made the call while receiving a delegation of European parliamentarians under the First Step Forum, led by Marc Jost, during a courtesy visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and fostering collaboration on shared global challenges Tuesday in Abuja
He stressed that Nigeria’s vast natural resources and youthful population present a strong case for deeper industrial collaboration with Europe, particularly through models that promote local production and value addition.
Advocating the economic model known as “nearshoring”, Kalu urged European partners to relocate technology, finance, and industrial capacity closer to regions where raw materials are sourced, especially in Africa.
“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 nearshoring entails situating industrial processes within countries that produce primary resources, rather than exporting such resources in their raw form for processing abroad.
“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 stated.
Kalu further noted that Nigeria must transition from being a supplier of raw commodities like cocoa and lithium to becoming a hub for finished goods production in order to unlock greater economic value.
Highlighting Nigeria’s lithium reserves, he described them as among the best globally and emphasised the urgency of forming partnerships that would enable local battery production.
“We have lithium in commercial quantities. With the global shift to clean energy, this presents an opportunity for us to produce batteries locally instead of exporting raw materials,” he said.
Kalu also called for a reset in Africa-Europe relations, urging both sides to move beyond historical grievances and embrace a future anchored on mutual respect, partnership, and shared prosperity.
He further commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting religious harmony and inclusive governance, noting that Nigeria’s diversity remains a strength in nation-building.
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