Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have taken steps to further consolidate their longstanding bilateral relationship through enhanced defence and security cooperation.
This was disclosed by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, AFM, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, on Wednesday, 17 December 2025.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by the Director Defence Information, Maj. Gen Samaila Uba in Abuja stated that, during the visit, Ambassador Mignot congratulated the CDS on his recent appointment and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in addressing its prevailing security challenges.
He registered 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 further highlighted several ongoing EU-supported non-kinetic projects across Nigeria, aimed at strengthening peacebuilding and stability.
He also reiterated that the EU’s support for Nigeria extends beyond military cooperation to include broader areas such as governance and political development, especially in the face of the country’s complex security environment.
In his response, the Chief of Defence Staff expressed appreciation for the EU’s continued support and partnership, noting his awareness of the various EU initiatives in Nigeria.
He welcomed the EU’s plan to deepen direct security engagement with Nigeria, beyond the existing framework that largely focuses on support to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
General Oluyede emphasized the urgency of fast-tracking the proposed engagements, stressing that Nigeria is currently contending with multifaceted security challenges and would greatly benefit from enhanced cooperation and support from the European Union.
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