By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria and the European Union have moved to further consolidate their long-standing relations through enhanced defence and security engagement, signalling a new phase of cooperation aimed at addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.
This development came to the fore when the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, AFM, at the Defence Headquarters on Wednesday, 17 December 2025.
In an official signed statement, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed that Ambassador Mignot, while congratulating the CDS on his appointment, conveyed the European Union’s strong desire to support Nigeria in overcoming its security challenges. He underscored Nigeria’s strategic importance to the EU, noting that 19 out of the 27 European Union member states currently maintain diplomatic representation in the country.
The Ambassador highlighted several ongoing non-kinetic EU-supported projects across Nigeria, particularly those focused on peacebuilding and stability. He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to standing with Nigeria at what he described as a complex and challenging moment, stressing that the Union’s support extends beyond the military sphere to broader areas such as governance and politics.
In his response, the Chief of Defence Staff expressed deep appreciation for the consistent support Nigeria has received from the European Union over the years, noting that he is fully conversant with the scope and impact of EU interventions in the country. He particularly welcomed the EU’s plan to engage more directly with Nigeria on security matters, as opposed to the existing arrangement that largely channels military support through the Multinational Joint Task Force.
General Oluyede urged the European Union to fast-track the proposed engagement, stressing that Nigeria is currently contending with multi-faceted security challenges across different regions. He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria would warmly welcome enhanced EU support tailored to Nigeria’s specific security needs.
The meeting underscored a shared resolve by Nigeria and the European Union to strengthen defence collaboration while adopting a holistic approach that combines security, governance and peacebuilding, in pursuit of lasting stability and mutual strategic interests.
