The European Union has reaffirmed its support for Nigeria’s peace and security efforts but urged the government to do more to protect vulnerable communities and ensure accountability for perpetrators of violence across the country.
The call was made by a delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by its Chair, David McAllister, during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
The briefing followed a three-day working visit to Nigeria, from October 26 to 28, 2025, during which the lawmakers held talks with top government officials on terrorism, insecurity, and human rights.
McAllister said terrorism and insecurity dominated the delegation’s engagements, noting that extremist violence in Nigeria was fuelled by a complex mix of social and economic challenges rather than ideology alone.
“The terrorist threats in Nigeria played an important role during our conversations and meetings with all of our interlocutors.
“Many factors contribute, including poverty, unemployment, resource competition, weak governance, and environmental stress such as desertification”, he said.
He stressed that the European Parliament expects Nigerian authorities to ensure that all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity are adequately protected.
“We have been outspoken that we expect all groups, all religions, and all vulnerable communities to be protected by the Nigerian authorities,” McAllister added.
The six-member European Parliament delegation, drawn from five EU countries and representing different political groups, met with several senior Nigerian officials and regional leaders during their visit.
Their discussions included meetings with Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission.
The lawmakers also met with Godswill Akpabio, Senate President, Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and representatives of the ECOWAS Parliament.
In addition, the delegation engaged with civil society organisations and ambassadors of EU member states based in Abuja.
Gautier Mignot, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s peace and security agenda.
He said the EU would continue to partner with Nigerian authorities to strengthen governance and advance disarmament and peace-building programmes.
“We stand by Nigeria to help its authorities face this situation,” Mignot stated.
Željana Zovko, Vice-Chair of the Committee, voiced serious concern over rising cases of religious persecution and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly targeting Christians and others who oppose extremist ideologies.
She noted that the European Parliament had adopted three resolutions addressing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, each passed by a strong majority, reflecting the gravity with which the EU views the issue.
“These resolutions express deep concern about the situation in Nigeria and the actions of its authorities. We questioned why adequate protection and accountability have not been ensured for those affected”, Zovko said.
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Zovko urged Nigerian authorities to strengthen transparency and ensure that crimes against all groups, Christians, Muslims, or others are publicly investigated and punished.
“These discussions must be open and public here in Abuja, not only in the states. All crimes committed against Christians, Muslims, or anyone not sharing a radical ideology must be addressed,” she said.
She also raised questions about equality before the law in some northern states implementing Sharia law, describing it as “a serious concern” that needs closer scrutiny.
“There is also another serious concern, which is about the equality of citizens in certain states where we have Sharia law, that’s a problem as well,” she warned.
