Nigeria and the European Union have reaffirmed commitment to strengthening strategic partnership, in a move aimed at expanding cooperation in trade, security, climate action and economic development.
Dunoma Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday in Abuja, received Gautier Mignot, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, at the Ministry’s headquarters, where both sides reviewed the breadth of Nigeria-EU relations and mapped out priorities for the coming year.
Ahmed described the European Union as one of Nigeria’s most important development and strategic partners, noting that cooperation between both sides spans key sectors including trade and investment, peace and security, governance, climate action, the digital economy, agriculture, education, healthcare, humanitarian assistance and people-to-people exchanges.
He expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of the partnership and underscored the commitment of the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to accelerate economic diversification and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on crude oil revenues.
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According to him, the administration is prioritising sectors such as agriculture, the digital economy, climate-smart development and innovation as engines of sustainable growth, while urging European businesses and investors to deepen their presence in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is positioning itself as a hub for innovation, agribusiness and green growth, and we welcome increased European investment and technical cooperation in these critical sectors,” Ahmed said.
On security, the Permanent Secretary highlighted Nigeria’s central role in promoting peace and stability in West Africa and the wider Sahel, stressing the need for sustained international support in tackling complex security threats.
He welcomed continued European Union assistance in counter-terrorism, the prevention of violent extremism, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and post-conflict recovery, noting that addressing the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, youth unemployment and social exclusion, remains essential to achieving lasting peace.
Ahmed also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to climate action and sustainable development, calling for stronger EU backing for climate adaptation, energy transition programmes, access to climate finance and the transfer of green technologies.
He also advocated a humane and balanced approach to migration, emphasising the need for legal mobility pathways, skills partnerships and youth empowerment initiatives that would reduce irregular migration while creating opportunities for young people.
In his response, EU Ambassador commended the strong alignment between Nigeria’s development priorities and the European Union’s strategic objectives, describing 2026 as a critical year for deepening the partnership.
He disclosed that preparations were underway for a proposed Nigeria-EU Ministerial Meeting in Abuja in March 2026, which is expected to bring senior officials from both sides together to advance cooperation across multiple sectors.
Mignot said the meeting would build on ongoing structured dialogues and high-level engagements designed to deliver concrete results for both Nigeria and the EU.
The ambassador also highlighted the European Union’s Global Gateway Strategy, which seeks to use development funding to mobilise large-scale private investment in partner countries.
He said the initiative was already supporting major EU-backed investments in Nigeria in areas such as infrastructure, digital connectivity, clean energy, water transportation, agriculture and youth-focused programmes.
According to him, the EU is also expanding its support for Nigeria’s peace and security architecture, economic development efforts and regional stabilisation initiatives, particularly in West Africa.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to multilateralism, the rule of law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, expressing confidence that Nigeria-EU relations will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead.
