Nigeria, European Union Deepen Strategic Partnership, Strengthen Security, Trade Cooperation
Oru Leonard
Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their long-standing strategic partnership, with renewed focus on political dialogue, economic cooperation, security collaboration, trade, and sustainable development.
The renewed commitment was made on Thursday in Abuja when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, received the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting reviewed progress made since the Second Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue held in March 2026 and examined bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.
A major highlight of the discussions was the planned official visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Brussels, with Ambassador Mignot revealing that consultations were underway with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission to schedule the visit, which is expected to take place in October 2026.
According to him, the visit will provide an opportunity to consolidate the Nigeria-EU Strategic Partnership and unveil new areas of cooperation.
The EU Ambassador also announced that the European Union was finalising approval of a €20 million support package under the European Peace Facility to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations through the supply of counter-drone and counter-improvised explosive device (IED) equipment.
He further disclosed that an additional €25 million peace and stabilisation programme for Nigeria’s North-West was being prepared alongside other peacebuilding initiatives aimed at improving security and stability across the country.
On economic cooperation, Mignot said preparations had reached an advanced stage for a new €25 million flagship agricultural programme targeting Nigeria’s dairy and cocoa value chains.
He also highlighted the success of the Nigeria-EU Business Forum in Lagos, growing investments by the European Investment Bank and other European financial institutions in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly women-led and youth-owned businesses, as well as progress under the Nigeria-EU Trade and Investment Dialogue.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing negotiations on the Nigeria-European Union Readmission Agreement and the Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Agreement, which is expected to expand research opportunities for Nigerian institutions under the Horizon Europe Research Programme.
In her remarks, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu welcomed the positive momentum in Nigeria-EU relations and expressed appreciation for the EU’s continued support through the Global Gateway Initiative, the European Peace Facility and other development programmes.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure, innovation, migration, peace and security.
The Foreign Affairs Minister also commended the European Union for supporting Nigeria’s security architecture, particularly assistance to the Multinational Joint Task Force and regional peacebuilding initiatives.
She welcomed the proposed North-West Stabilisation Programme and called for increased international support to address the evolving security challenges confronting the region.
Describing the European Union as one of Nigeria’s foremost trading and development partners, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the proposed presidential visit to Brussels would further strengthen economic cooperation, attract greater investment and deepen strategic collaboration between both sides.
On regional and international issues, the Minister appreciated the EU’s balanced understanding of Nigeria’s security situation, noting that the country’s security challenges stem from terrorism, banditry, communal conflicts, resource competition and organised criminality rather than religious persecution alone.
She welcomed the EU’s continued support for Nigeria’s sovereignty and efforts to address these complex security challenges.
The meeting also covered democratic governance, migration, regional security, developments within ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), as well as broader international issues.
Ambassador Mignot informed the Minister that the European Union intends to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission ahead of Nigeria’s forthcoming elections to provide technical support for electoral reforms and implementation of previous recommendations.
Both parties also discussed support for the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC), freedom of navigation under international law and the importance of preserving a rules-based international order.
The meeting concluded with both Nigeria and the European Union reaffirming their commitment to expanding cooperation through sustained engagement, enhanced peace and security collaboration, increased trade and investment, and closer coordination on regional and multilateral issues, expressing confidence that President Tinubu’s proposed visit to Brussels would mark another significant milestone in the enduring partnership between both sides.
