EU pledges to strengthen partnerships with Nigeria on trade, security, others

By Lukman Olabiyi

The newly appointed European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, has expressed his commitment to reinforcing existing partnerships with the Nigerian government while fostering new ones.

During a media briefing in Lagos, Mignot outlined his vision for enhancing EU-Nigeria relations across various sectors.

Describing Nigeria as a key player in Africa and the world, Mignot emphasised the EU’s dedication to being a reliable partner.

His priorities for strengthening the partnership include, advancing economic relations, promoting trade and investment, and focusing on key areas, such as the green economy, digital technology, agri-food, and healthcare.

Mignot also highlighted plans to address the specific needs of Northern Nigeria, enhance collaboration on peace and security, and create opportunities in education and research.  The EU, he said, aims to tackle migration challenges, including human trafficking, migrant reintegration, and the creation of legal migration pathways that align with the interests of both parties. “We want to partner more closely with Nigerian authorities at both the federal and local levels, and listen to their expectations, strategies, and needs,” Mignot said.  He also reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS on regional and global issues. The ambassador outlined two key aspects of the EU’s mission in Nigeria: Increasing visibility of the EU’s achievements in the country and endorsing new initiatives and projects to explore the potential of these partnerships.

“Our global and strong partnership is based on shared values like human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and international law,” Mignot stated. Additionally, he underscored the EU’s goal of improving structures for trade and investment, advocating for direct foreign investment and enhanced economic relations.  Noting the lack of a formal agreement or dialogue framework on trade and economic issues, Mignot expressed the need for better structures to address barriers to European investments in Nigeria.