Kalu Advocates Tech Transfer, Local Manufacturing to Boost Jobs and Curb Brain Drain
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called for increased technology transfer and local manufacturing partnerships with European countries as a strategic pathway to harness Nigeria’s abundant raw materials, create jobs for its growing youth population, and curb 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.
Advocating the economic model known as “near-shoring,” the Deputy Speaker emphasized the need to relocate technology, finance, and industrial capacity closer to regions where raw materials are sourced, particularly in Africa.
“We have a huge youth population. 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 industrial processes within countries that produce primary resources, rather than exporting such resources in raw form.
According to him, Nigeria must transition from exporting commodities like cocoa and lithium to processing them locally into finished products such as chocolate and electric vehicle batteries.
“Why should we export our cocoa when the technology and finance can be brought here to turn it into chocolate? Let our cocoa farms become chocolate factories. That is value addition; that is job creation,” he stated.
Kalu also highlighted Nigeria’s vast lithium deposits, describing them as among the best globally, and stressed the need for partnerships that would enable local battery production amid the global shift to cleaner energy.
He further called for a reset in Africa–Europe relations, urging both sides to move beyond historical grievances and build a future anchored on mutual respect, partnership, and shared prosperity.
On Nigeria’s religious diversity, Kalu described it as a source of strength rather than division, noting that the country’s pluralism enriches governance and decision-making.
“Our diversity is not a disadvantage; it is a beautiful coloration that allows us to approach issues from multiple perspectives. That is how we achieve balanced and inclusive governance,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker also highlighted the inclusive disposition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that despite being a Muslim, the President promotes religious harmony, as reflected in national policies and symbolic actions, including the recent unveiling of a chapel at the National Assembly attended by the First Lady.
