EU, Nigeria Expand Cooperation on Migration, Security with €112m Support

EU, Nigeria Expand Cooperation on Migration, Security with €112m Support

By: Michael Mike

The European Union (EU) and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on migration management, security and regional stability, with the EU committing a combined €112 million to support migration-related and security initiatives in the country.

The commitment was highlighted during a visit by the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Mr Magnus Brunner, to Abuja on Tuesday, where he held high-level meetings with key Nigerian government officials.

Brunner met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro.

The EU said €66 million had recently been allocated to fund new migration-related projects, while another €26 million would support security interventions, including efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and drug trafficking.

It also disclosed that it had adopted its first bilateral assistance measure to Nigeria under the European Peace Facility, committing €20 million to support the country’s counterterrorism efforts.

The development comes against the backdrop of growing cooperation between Nigeria and European institutions on migration management, particularly following the signing of the EU-Nigeria Readmission Agreement.

According to the EU, the partnership has recorded improvements in recent years through collaboration between Nigerian authorities and European agencies, including Europol, Eurojust and Frontex.

Brunner said the growing relationship reflected the importance Europe attached to Nigeria as a strategic partner in Africa.

“Nigeria is a key partner for Europe, and our ties are steadily growing stronger. Together we are turning dialogue into action: more security, better migration management, joining forces to bring results.

“We are turning the huge potential of our partnership into mutual benefit,” he said.

The EU said the visit also provided an opportunity to review the broader relationship between both sides, advance cooperation on shared priorities and explore areas of engagement beyond migration and security.

It noted that Nigeria and the EU shared a commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order, adding that their partnership had continued to expand in scope.

The relationship has gained further momentum following the eighth EU-Nigeria Ministerial Meeting held in Abuja in March, with the participation of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.

The EU also highlighted the role of Team Europe, comprising the EU and its member states, in implementing its Global Gateway investment strategy in Nigeria through projects spanning several sectors.

It said Nigeria’s strategic position in West Africa and its wider regional influence made it an important partner in advancing regional economic cooperation, security, migration management and trade.

The commissioner’s visit is expected to further consolidate the partnership and lay the groundwork for deepe

EU, Nigeria Expand Cooperation on Migration, Security with €112m Support