President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his displeasure with the increasing number of youth migrating to Europe. He claimed that it depletes the continent’s talent pool while also generating political conflicts in Europe.
The president displeasure was stated in an essay published in Politico; where he wrote to commemorate Nigeria’s participation in the ongoing 6th EU-AFRICA summit in Brussels, Belgium.
Buhari stated in an essay published in Politico that despite its best efforts, Europe will not be able to find a long-term solution to the problem.
Instead, he believes that more opportunities for Africans should be developed at home. He suggested that the two continents’ economic ties be rebalanced to focus on employee development.
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“Africa’s population of 1.3 billion people is expected to quadruple by 2050, accounting for a quarter of the world’s total. Nigeria, my country, is expected to quadruple its population to 400 million people by then. The population will overtake the United States to become the world’s third-biggest country”. The president said.
“This implies a massive young market right on Europe’s doorstep, as well as a burgeoning middle class with money to spend, thanks to greater commerce. Despite this emerging possibility, irregular northward migration from my continent depletes Africa’s talent pool while causing political crises in the EU”.
“Unfair arrangements have long been glossed over in the relationship between the European Union and Africa due to a lack of alternatives.”
“These one-sided partnerships are becoming increasingly unsustainable, prompting calls for a partnership of equals from both sides of the Mediterranean”.
“Leaders from across my continent will convene with their European counterparts at the EU-Africa Summit to turn such talk into action. Africa’s greatest commercial partner is the EU, and Africa is the world’s fastest expanding continent. While each brings huge opportunities to the other, as partners, we also share a slew of issues”.
