Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, with renewed focus on security, trade, investment, renewable energy and sustainable development.
The commitment was made during a meeting in Abuja between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot. Both sides reviewed progress since the Second Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue and discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended the EU’s continued support for Nigeria through initiatives such as the Global Gateway and the European Peace Facility. She also welcomed plans for a North-West Stabilisation Programme and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, innovation, migration, peace and security.
Mignot announced that the EU is finalising a €20 million support package to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts with counter-drone and counter-IED equipment. He also disclosed plans for a €25 million agricultural programme targeting the dairy and cocoa value chains, alongside continued investments in small businesses, women-led enterprises and youth entrepreneurship.
The two sides also discussed democratic governance, regional security, migration and international cooperation, while reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening strategic relations. Preparations are also underway for President Bola Tinubu’s proposed official visit to Brussels later this year.
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