By Uriel Ihotu
Foreign Affairs Minister reaffirms commitment to stronger EU-Nigeria partnership
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening its long-standing strategic relationship with the European Union (EU), describing Europe as Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a key ally in promoting regional stability, economic growth, and sustainable development.
Ambassador Tuggar made the remarks while receiving a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja.
“Any visit from the European Union is very important to us because Europe remains our largest trading partner. Our trade volume stands at not less than €31.8 billion,” Tuggar stated.
He emphasized that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu places priority on food security, job creation, and economic diversification. With Nigeria’s population projected to reach 400 million by 2050, Tuggar said the government is “in a race against time” to ensure food sufficiency and sustainable livelihoods for its citizens.
The minister also highlighted Nigeria’s recent admission as the 77th shareholder of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), describing the move as a significant milestone in strengthening economic cooperation between Nigeria and Europe.
“Our membership of the EBRD expands Nigeria’s access to global investment networks and supports our ongoing reforms in trade, infrastructure, and industrial development,” he added.
Learning from Europe’s Integration Success
Tuggar lauded the European Union as a model of successful regional integration, stressing that Nigeria and Africa as a whole can draw valuable lessons from the EU’s achievements in unifying markets and fostering sustainable development.
“We have a lot to learn from the EU, whose continued integration gives us both inspiration and a model to follow as we work toward a more cohesive and prosperous African market,” he said.
EU Delegation Commends Nigeria’s Regional Leadership
The head of the visiting delegation, representing five European countries and three political groups within the EU Parliament, commended Nigeria’s leadership in West Africa and its growing role in shaping Africa’s political and economic trajectory.
“Nigeria is a strategic partner for the EU not only because of our long-standing cooperation but also because of your position as Africa’s most populous nation and a major regional power,” the EU representative stated.
He noted that the team’s visit to Nigeria and Ghana was aimed at deepening engagement with regional stakeholders and understanding local dynamics ahead of the upcoming EU-Africa Summit in Angola.
“We are here to listen, to understand, and to strengthen our partnership with Nigeria and the wider West African region,” he said, adding that discussions covered developments within ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Sahel region, including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Concluding the visit, the EU delegation leader reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria.
“If I were to sum up in one sentence: Nigeria matters. Nigeria matters for us in the European Union, and we in the European Parliament are very keen to take this partnership to the next level,” he said.
