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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

EU unveils €70m security, agriculture support for Nigeria

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The European Union announced new support packages totaling €70 million for Nigeria, focusing on security and agriculture.
  • The funding includes €45 million for security and peacebuilding, with specific allocations for counter-terrorism equipment and stabilization programs in the North-West.
  • The EU also committed €25 million for agricultural development, particularly in the dairy and cocoa sectors, and is facilitating President Tinubu's potential visit to Brussels.

The European Union has pledged €70 million in fresh support for Nigeria, signaling a strengthened strategic partnership. The aid package is divided between security and agriculture, with €45 million dedicated to bolstering Nigeria's safety and peacebuilding efforts. A significant portion of this security funding, €20 million, will be channeled through the European Peace Facility to provide counter-terrorism capabilities, including essential equipment like counter-drone and improvised explosive device protection.

the EU was finalising approval of a €20 million support package under the European Peace Facility to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism capabilities through the provision of counter-drone and counter-improvised explosive device equipment.

— Gautier MignotEU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, announcing specific security funding.

An additional €25 million peace and stabilization program is being prepared for Nigeria's North-West region, addressing ongoing security challenges. In parallel, the EU is investing €25 million in a flagship agricultural program designed to boost Nigeria's dairy and cocoa value chains. This dual focus aims to address immediate security concerns while fostering long-term economic development.

an additional €25 million peace and stabilisation programme for Nigeria’s North-West was also being prepared alongside other peacebuilding initiatives.

— Gautier MignotEU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, detailing further security support.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, announced these packages during a meeting with Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in Abuja. The discussions also covered progress since the last ministerial dialogue and explored new cooperation areas, including trade, investment, innovation, migration, and regional stability. Preparations are also underway for President Bola Tinubu's official visit to Brussels, anticipated for October 2026, to further solidify the partnership and explore new avenues for collaboration.

that preparations had reached an advanced stage for a €25 million flagship agricultural programme focusing on Nigeria’s dairy and cocoa value chains.

— Gautier MignotEU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, announcing agricultural funding.

Furthermore, negotiations are progressing on a Nigeria-EU Readmission Agreement and a Science, Technology, and Innovation Cooperation Agreement. The latter is expected to enhance research collaboration and provide Nigerian institutions with greater access to opportunities under the Horizon Europe Research Programme. The EU has also noted increasing investments by European financial institutions in Nigerian small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those led by women and youth.

would provide an important platform for further consolidating the strategic partnership between Nigeria and the European Union and unveiling significant new areas of cooperation.

— Gautier MignotEU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, describing the potential impact of President Tinubu's visit to Brussels.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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