Nigeria's House of Representatives urges EU near‑shoring ties and stronger civil‑society oversight

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu called for deliberate “co‑communication” between Nigeria and the European Union and promoted a near‑shoring model that would bring technology and finance closer to Nigeria’s raw material sectors. Speaking in Abuja to EU ambassadors, Kalu said the narrative about Nigeria often does not reflect reality and that “Investors’ confidence should be prioritised…The narrative, most of the time, does not reflect the actual situation in our country.” He argued that near‑shoring could create jobs, curb youth migration and improve the trade balance.

Former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara, addressing the National Assembly Open Week, urged a stronger partnership between the legislature and civil‑society organisations. He stressed that effective oversight must ensure every “kobo appropriated by the National Assembly is spent for the purpose for which it was approved,” describing CSOs as the “eyes and ears” of the legislature. Dogara praised current House leadership for opening dialogue with citizens and called for rigorous monitoring of budget implementation and greater transparency from the executive.