𝐄𝐔 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬

The European Union has pledged stronger security cooperation with Nigeria as both parties move to tackle the country’s evolving security challenges through deeper defence engagement.

The commitment was disclosed on Wednesday when the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Gautier Mignot, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

Congratulating Oluyede on his recent appointment, Mignot reaffirmed the EU’s readiness to support Nigeria in addressing its complex security situation. He underscored Nigeria’s strategic importance to the European Union, noting that 19 of the EU’s 27 member states currently maintain diplomatic missions in the country.

The ambassador highlighted several ongoing EU-funded non-kinetic interventions across Nigeria, explaining that the union’s support spans peacebuilding, stability, and conflict prevention initiatives.

According to him, EU assistance to Nigeria goes beyond military cooperation, extending to governance, political processes, and institutional development, especially at a time he described as challenging and demanding for the country.

Mignot further assured the Nigerian military of the EU’s willingness to deepen collaboration in key areas capable of strengthening security and fostering sustainable peace nationwide.

In his response, Oluyede expressed appreciation for the EU’s continued support, stating that he was familiar with many of the union’s programmes and interventions in Nigeria.

He commended the EU’s plan to engage Nigeria more directly on security issues, rather than restricting military support mainly to the Multinational Joint Task Force.

The Chief of Defence Staff called for the fast-tracking of proposed engagements, stressing that Nigeria is currently facing multiple security challenges across different regions, adding that timely and enhanced EU support would be crucial in enabling security agencies to respond effectively.