Benjamin Kalu Calls For Tech Transfer To Curb Migration

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Benjamin Kalu, has called for increased technology transfer and local manufacturing partnerships with European countries to boost job creation and reduce irregular migration.

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.

He urged European partners to adopt a “near-shoring” economic model, which involves relocating industrial production closer to the source of raw materials, particularly in Africa.

“We have a huge youth population. You have the capital and the technology; we have the raw materials,” Kalu said. “Why are we not practising what the economy calls near-shoring?”

Kalu said Nigeria should shift from exporting raw commodities such as cocoa and lithium to processing them locally into finished goods, including chocolate and electric vehicle batteries.

“Why should I export my cocoa when it can be processed locally into chocolate? That is value addition and job creation,” he said.

He also highlighted Nigeria’s lithium deposits and called for partnerships to support domestic battery production as demand grows amid the global transition to cleaner energy.

Kalu further urged a reset in Africa-Europe relations based on mutual respect and shared prosperity, saying both regions should move beyond historical grievances.

He described Nigeria’s religious diversity as a strength that supports inclusive governance and noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu promotes religious harmony through national policies and actions.

PR Oduyemi Odumade