By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Nigeria and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership, with plans for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed official visit to Brussels gaining momentum.
The commitment was made on Thursday during a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The meeting reviewed progress in Nigeria-EU relations since the Second Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue held in March 2026 and explored new areas of cooperation spanning politics, trade, investment, security, agriculture, innovation and sustainable development.
Mignot disclosed that consultations were ongoing with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission to finalize arrangements for President Tinubu’s visit to Brussels, with October 2026 being considered the most likely period. He said the visit would provide an opportunity to further strengthen the Nigeria-EU Strategic Partnership and unveil new areas of collaboration.
On security, the EU envoy announced that the bloc was finalising approval of a €20 million support package under the European Peace Facility to enhance Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts through the supply of counter-drone and counter-improvised explosive device (IED) equipment.
He also revealed plans for an additional €25 million peace and stabilization programme targeting Nigeria’s North-West, alongside other initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability across the country.
Mignot said negotiations were progressing on the Nigeria-EU 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 the area of economic cooperation, he announced that preparations were at an advanced stage for a new €25 million agricultural programme focused on developing Nigeria’s dairy and cocoa value chains.
The ambassador also highlighted the success of the Nigeria-EU Business Forum held in Lagos and noted increased investments by the European Investment Bank and other European financial institutions in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly women- and youth-owned businesses.
Responding, Odumegwu-Ojukwu welcomed the positive trajectory of Nigeria-EU relations and expressed appreciation for the European Union’s continued support through the Global Gateway Initiative, the European Peace Facility and other development programmes.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure, innovation, migration, peace and security.
The minister commended the EU’s support for Nigeria’s security architecture, particularly its assistance to the Multinational Joint Task Force and regional peacebuilding initiatives. She also welcomed the proposed North-West Stabilization Programme, stressing the need for greater international support to address evolving security challenges.
Describing the European Union as one of Nigeria’s foremost trading and development partners, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the proposed presidential visit to Brussels would deepen economic cooperation, attract more investment and strengthen existing strategic initiatives.
On regional and global issues, she appreciated the EU’s balanced understanding of Nigeria’s security situation, noting that the country’s challenges were driven by terrorism, banditry, communal conflicts, resource competition and criminality rather than religious persecution alone.
Both sides also discussed democratic governance, migration, regional security, developments within ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States, as well as broader international issues.
Mignot informed the minister that the European Union planned to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission to Nigeria to provide technical support for electoral reforms ahead of future elections.
The discussions further covered the EU’s support for the independence of the International Criminal Court, freedom of navigation under international law and the need to uphold a rules-based international order.
The meeting ended with both parties reaffirming their commitment to deepening political dialogue, expanding economic cooperation and strengthening collaboration on peace, security and regional development.
