In an address to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has harped on the importance of shifting focus from merely halting youth migration to understanding and tackling its underlying reasons.
During the ECOWAS Parliament session on Saturday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed the need to address the root causes that drive young people to leave their countries. She cited the inspiring examples of successful Nigerians who have made significant contributions internationally, such as Silas Adekunle, a 31-year-old robotic engineer, and Abigail Marshall Katung, the Mayor of Leeds.
She acknowledged the reality of a global economy in which young people may feel compelled to seek better opportunities outside their home countries.
The lawmaker emphasised that immigration is not inherently harmful; the intent and context must be considered. Drawing from her own experience, she explained that her father’s decision to migrate to Ukraine (then USSR) for academic and economic prospects ultimately paved the way for her existence today.
As a mother, Akpoti-Uduaghan grapples with encouraging her children to return to Nigeria and contribute to the development of their home country.
To address these complex issues, the senator proposed diaspora skill transfer to encourage Africans in the diaspora to share their knowledge and opportunities with their home countries, following the successful examples of the Ethiopian cotton industry and the Indian technology industry.
“There should be intra-African trade to promote trade among African countries to retain jobs within borders and strengthen the collective economy.
“Youth-friendly business policies should support startups, particularly in the tech sector, through improved access to finance, market opportunities, angel investors, fiscal incentives, and tax waivers. These measures aim to foster a thriving ecosystem for young entrepreneurs,” she added.
