The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called for increased technology transfer and local production partnerships with European countries as a strategy 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 emphasised 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 technology; we have the raw materials. Why are we not practising near-shoring?” Kalu asked.

He explained that near-shoring involves situating industrial processes within countries that produce primary resources, rather than exporting such materials in their raw form.

Kalu cited Nigeria’s cocoa and lithium as examples, urging a shift from exporting raw commodities to processing them locally into finished products such as chocolate and electric vehicle batteries.

“Why should we export cocoa when 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 said.

He 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 transition to cleaner energy.

Kalu 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, he described it as a source of strength rather than division, noting that pluralism enriches governance and decision-making.

“Our diversity is not a disadvantage; it is a beautiful coloration that allows us to see issues from multiple perspectives. That is how we achieve balanced and inclusive governance,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker also commended the inclusive disposition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that despite being a Muslim, the President has promoted religious harmony through policies and symbolic actions, including the recent unveiling of a chapel at the National Assembly attended by the First Lady.