…Says It Is Actively Supporting Nigeria to Face Insecurity
Fourth from Left side: The Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister and his team during a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday.
By Emmanuel Emeka, Abuja
The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its recognition of Nigeria’s growing role on the international stage, pledging continued support in addressing insecurity, promoting stability, and driving sustainable development across the country.
The commitment was made during the visit of a high-level delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by its Chair and Member of the European Parliament, David McAllister, who concluded a two-and-a-half-day mission to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, McAllister said the visit underscored the European Union’s resolve to deepen political dialogue and strengthen collaboration with Nigeria in tackling emerging regional challenges, including insecurity, migration, and governance reforms.
He explained that the mission, which included six parliamentarians representing five EU member states, provided an opportunity to engage with key Nigerian institutions, the ECOWAS Commission, civil society groups, and the diplomatic community on how to enhance partnership under the EU’s Team Europe framework.
“The very good exchanges we have with our Nigerian interlocutors confirm the quality and friendliness of our relationship. We recognise Nigeria’s growing role in the global scene and we are keen to identify consultations and exchanges. Nigeria’s partnership with Team Europe is second to none,” McAllister said.
He added that the EU remains committed to working with Nigeria to address insecurity, promote democracy, and create opportunities for young people through development cooperation and joint regional initiatives.
The EU delegation’s visit also highlighted the importance of expanding Nigeria-EU cooperation in emerging global priorities such as climate action, digital transformation, and youth empowerment.
McAllister noted that these areas represent key pillars of the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, which aims to promote sustainable infrastructure and inclusive development partnerships with Africa.
He stressed that the European Union values Nigeria not only as a strategic political ally but also as a major economic partner, particularly in energy, trade, and investment. According to him, the EU remains Nigeria’s largest trading partner, accounting for a third of the country’s foreign direct investment, and is committed to supporting initiatives that create jobs and strengthen democratic institutions.
McAllister also pointed out that the delegation’s meetings with Nigerian lawmakers were essential to reinforcing parliamentary cooperation between both sides.
He said the European Parliament aims to deepen legislative dialogue with the National Assembly and the ECOWAS Parliament to promote mutual understanding and advance democratic values across the region.
He added that the EU will continue to stand with Nigeria in addressing pressing security and humanitarian challenges, especially in the North-East and North-West regions, where millions of people remain displaced and vulnerable.
He reaffirmed that the Union’s humanitarian support of nearly €50 million this year is part of broader efforts to alleviate suffering and strengthen peacebuilding.
Also speaking, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, reaffirmed the EU’s ongoing financial and technical support to Nigeria, noting that the Union continues to invest in projects aimed at improving security, education, and governance.
“In terms of grants, from the European Union to Nigeria, in the framework of bilateral cooperation, it’s 730 million euros in grants. But you know, we are using these grants, blended in many cases, with loans, and we have the European Investment Bank, active in Nigeria, with a portfolio of some 1.3 billion euros. And we have now a new actor, in what we call Team Europe, with a member state of development banks, which is the European Bank for Construction and Development, which is starting operations in Nigeria,” Mignot said.
He explained that the EU’s support extends beyond bilateral funding to include regional efforts in collaboration with ECOWAS and the African Union, focusing on peacebuilding, digital innovation, renewable energy, and climate-smart agriculture.
On her part, Member of the European Parliament, Željana Zovko, co-chair of the Interreligious Dialogue Group in the European People’s Party, expressed concern over the continued persecution of Christians and other faith-based communities in parts of Nigeria.
“I was working on the urgency resolution on Nigeria and all these cases of persecuted Christians. These are three resolutions that we have done and that were adopted by majority in European Parliament. And this seriously concerns your country and the state authorities,” she said.
Zovko further emphasised that the European Parliament has been consistent in calling for stronger protection of religious freedom and urged Nigerian authorities to strengthen security and accountability mechanisms in affected regions.
She added, “Nigeria is a great and diverse country, but it is also a country facing challenges that must be addressed with courage and sincerity. We have seen incidents where communities are attacked simply because of their faith. The European Parliament has consistently called for justice, for accountability, and for the Nigerian state to ensure that no group lives in fear because of their religion or ethnicity.”
She also noted that empowering women and youth remains central to building peace and fostering inclusive development, stressing that Nigeria’s young population holds the key to the country’s transformation.
The EU delegation’s visit is expected to strengthen cooperation on political, security, and development priorities ahead of the forthcoming EU-AU Summit in Luanda, Angola, where leaders will review joint commitments on peace, trade, climate action, and migration.
The forthcoming EU-AU Summit, scheduled to hold later this year in Luanda, Angola, is expected to serve as a strategic platform for deepening political and economic ties between Europe and Africa.
The summit will bring together heads of state, government officials, and regional organisations to review progress on shared priorities, including peace and security, trade and investment, climate action, migration, and digital transformation.
Nigeria’s participation is anticipated to focus on strengthening EU support for governance reforms, youth empowerment, and peacebuilding initiatives across West Africa.
