Address Root Causes of Youth Migration, Senator Natasha Urges ECOWAS

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to shift its focus from simply halting youth migration to understanding and addressing the underlying causes driving it. Speaking at the ECOWAS Parliament session on Saturday, she emphasized the need to tackle the root issues that compel young people to leave their home countries.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan highlighted successful Nigerians who have made significant contributions on the global stage, such as Silas Adekunle, a 31-year-old robotic engineer, and Abigail Marshall Katung, the Mayor of Leeds.

"Today, there are Nigerians making our country proud internationally. One example is Silas Adekunle, who at the age of 31 became the world’s highest-paid robotic engineer," she noted. "Not long ago, we celebrated Lord Mayor Abigail Marshall Katung, a Nigerian woman who migrated to the UK and rose to become the Mayor of Leeds, the UK’s second-largest city."

She acknowledged that the global economy often necessitates youth migration in search of better opportunities. "Immigration isn’t all bad; however, it’s the intent and context that matter. I exist today because my father left the shores of Nigeria for Ukraine (then USSR) in search of greener pastures both academically and economically," she said.

Sharing her personal struggles, she added, "As a mother of eight, I find it challenging to encourage my children to return to Nigeria and contribute to the development of their home country. This personal experience helps me understand why millions of young people in Nigeria and West Africa choose to migrate for better jobs and financial prospects."

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan proposed several solutions to address youth migration:

1. Diaspora Skill Transfer:

 Encouraging Africans in the diaspora to transfer knowledge and opportunities to their home countries, similar to the Ethiopian cotton industry and Indian technology industry.

2. Intra-African Trade:

 Promoting trade among African countries to retain jobs within the continent and strengthen the collective economy.

3. Youth-Friendly Business Policies:

Supporting startups, especially in the tech sector, with access to finance, market opportunities, angel investors, fiscal incentives, and tax waivers to boost the entrepreneurial ecosystem for young people.

By addressing these issues, she believes ECOWAS can create a more conducive environment for young people to thrive in their home countries, reducing the necessity for migration.

Source: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kogi Central