Nigeria and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening and deepening their strategic partnership, following a high-level engagement held on Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, received the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, during the meeting aimed at consolidating bilateral relations between Nigeria and the European Union.
Speaking during the engagement, Ambassador Ahmed reaffirmed the longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between Nigeria and the EU, describing the bloc as a critical development partner. He highlighted the wide-ranging cooperation between both sides, covering trade and investment, peace and security, governance, climate action, digital economy, agriculture, education, health, humanitarian assistance, and people-to-people exchanges.
He expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of relations and underscored the commitment of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to diversify Nigeria’s economy away from oil dependence. Priority sectors identified include agriculture, the digital economy, climate-smart development, and innovation, with a call for increased European investment and collaboration.
Ambassador Ahmed also reiterated Nigeria’s strategic role in promoting peace and stability in West Africa, welcoming continued EU cooperation in counter-terrorism, prevention of violent extremism, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, and post-conflict recovery efforts. He stressed the need to address root causes of insecurity, particularly poverty and youth unemployment.
On climate change, he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable development and called for enhanced EU support in climate adaptation, energy transition, access to climate finance, and the transfer of green technologies. He further advocated a balanced and humane approach to migration, emphasizing legal mobility pathways, skills partnerships, and youth empowerment initiatives.
In his remarks, Ambassador Mignot commended the strong alignment between Nigeria’s development priorities and the EU’s strategic objectives. He described 2026 as a pivotal year for scaling up cooperation and announced preparations for a proposed Nigeria–EU Ministerial Meeting scheduled for March 2026 in Abuja.
The EU envoy highlighted the bloc’s Global Gateway Strategy, noting significant EU-backed investments in infrastructure, digital connectivity, clean energy, water transportation, agriculture, and youth-focused programmes. He also emphasized growing EU support for Nigeria’s peace and security architecture, economic development, and regional stabilization efforts.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to multilateralism, the rule of law, and the principles of the United Nations Charter, expressing confidence that sustained dialogue and enhanced cooperation will further consolidate the Nigeria–EU strategic partnership.
