National News
EU remains Nigeria’s Strongest Trade Partner- Envoy
EU remains Nigeria’s Strongest Trade Partner- Envoy
By: Michael Mike
The Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Samuela Isopi has claimed that the European bloc remains Nigeria’s strongest trade partner over the years.
Isopi, who is also the head of the EU Delegation to the rest of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) while addressing a press conference in Abuja on the forthcoming Europe Day 2022 and also provide information on several issues, including the European Union’s engagements with Nigeria and with ECOWAS, revealed that the total EU-Nigeria trade in 2021 stood at €28.7 billion.
She noted that EU imports from Nigeria at the last count was €17.5 billion with exports to the country during the last fiscal year standing at €11.2 billion.
The EU Head disclosed that the trade balance in 2021 stood at €6.4bn in favour of Nigeria, while the year-on- year change between 2020 and 2021 recorded a surplus of 25.8 percent.
She said that: “The EU is Nigeria’s most important trading partner accounting for 20.9% of Nigeria’s trade with the world.”
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She also added that: “EU is the first export destination for Nigeria, accounting for 25.4% of its exports,” while the EU is second in Nigeria’s imports from the world accounting for 16.1% of its total imports.
Isopi however noted that the EU is oftentimes not seen as the most important business and trading partner of Nigeria because the EU is seen with the eye of different countries with varying trade and bilateral relationship with Nigeria.
She said this is a misconception as the EU is a trading bloc and should be seen as such, while noting that the European Union has a long-standing partnership with Nigeria.
She added that: “The recent launch of the Multiannual Indicative Programme (2021-2027) last February, is an important step in reinforcing and concretising the EU’s cooperation with Nigeria. It will enable the EU and Nigeria to continue working together on programmes and projects that are built on shared objectives, principles and values.”
She recalled that the recent visit to Nigeria of the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Ms. Margrethe Vestager focused on a positive economic, innovation, youth and digital agenda in line with the outcome and objectives of the EU-AU Summit.
Isopi said one of the plans to further improved trade and bilateral relationship with Nigeria is EU-Nigerian Business Forum organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, scheduled to take place in Lagos on 30 June and 1 July, under the theme, ‘Nigeria and the new world economy’, which will address key issues relating to doing business in Nigeria – the opportunities, but also the challenges and the second day will be devoted to EU involvement in the agricultural sector.
The EU Head in the country while lamenting that Nigeria is currently facing manifold security crisis with violence encompassing various phenomena, such as terror attacks, armed banditry and organised crime, including kidnapping and human trafficking, noted that on several occasions, national stakeholders have raised the alarm about insecurity and violence in the country.
She said that with several non-state armed groups challenging the state’s monopoly of violence in different portions of the territory, the EU has responded by supporting, government efforts to fight against terrorism, radicalization and violent extremism, including through a criminal justice programme; Operation Safe Corridor through a DDRR programme in the North East, the strengthening of civilian protection policy and practice; the enhancement of state and community-level conflict management capability in the North East; the implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) to address conflicts between farmers and herders; Multi-stakeholders Dialogues in the Niger Delta; and ECOWAS peace and security architecture and operations.
EU remains Nigeria’s Strongest Trade Partner- Envoy
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
By: Our Reporter
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria Hajiya Nana Shettima arrived Addis Ababa With Her Husband, Senator Kashim Shettima to attend the 30th General Assembly of Organization of African First Ladies For Development (OAFLAD) while The Vice President will be attending the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of States and Government on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Mrs Shettima is Representing First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON.
The African First Ladies are expected to Focus on internal issues and advance OAFLAD’s strategic priorities.
The 30th General Assembly’s open session under the theme “Building Resilience for Women and Girls: Climate, Conflict, and Sustainable Futures will be held on the 15th of February.
Mrs Shettima who left Abuja this afternoon for Addis Ababa the Capital of Ethiopia will participate in various meetings with African First Ladies spanning for Three Days
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
Vice President Shettima Arrives Ethiopia Ahead Of AU Summit
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, as well as the 30th General Assembly, scheduled to hold on February 14 and 15, 2026, respectively.
The Vice President was received at the Bole International Airport by the Ethiopian Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Belete Mola, alongside the Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Berhanu tsegaye; Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yussuf Tuggar; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Amb. Dunoma Ahmed; Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Nigeria, Ethiopia, Amb. Nasiru Aminu; Head of Consular and Ambassador-Designate, Amb. Geoffrey Chima and other government officials.
On arrival, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Tuggar, debriefed the Vice President on his itinerary at the Summit.
This year’s AU summit, with the theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on advancing continental commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
Besides the Heads of State meetings, Senator Shettima will participate in high-level side events, and bilateral engagements with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
Speaking with journalists after debriefing the Vice President, Amb. Tuggar said the launch of the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) is a strategic move to consolidate and strengthen the democratic culture in Africa.
On the gains of the summit, the Minister noted that the country was already taking in the benefits of her participation, with the confirmati on of Nigeria as the host of the African Monetary Institute and the African Central Bank as well as its nomination to the board of the bank.
Vice President Shettima Arrives Ethiopia Ahead Of AU Summit
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja to Represent President Tinubu at the 2026 African Union Summit
VP Shettima Departs Abuja to Represent President Tinubu at the 2026 African Union Summit
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2026 African Union (AU) Summit.
The Summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on advancing continental commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
While in Addis Ababa, the Vice President will join other African leaders at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government, as well as the 30th General Assembly, scheduled to hold on February 14 and 15, 2026, respectively.
On the margins of the Summit, Senator Shettima will participate in high-level side events and hold bilateral engagements with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
The Vice President is accompanied by cabinet ministers and other senior government officials. He is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his official engagements in Addis Ababa.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja to Represent President Tinubu at the 2026 African Union Summit
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
Vice President Shettima Arrives Ethiopia Ahead Of AU Summit
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