EU, Nigeria move to deepen trade, security cooperation

This followed a meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, at the President’s Lagos residence.

Kallas, who led an EU delegation to the meeting, said discussions with the President and senior Nigerian officials centred on expanding collaboration across key sectors, including trade, investment, critical raw materials, and security.

Also present at the meeting were the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

Addressing journalists after the talks, the EU foreign policy chief described Nigeria and the European Union as “like-minded partners,” stressing the need for deeper cooperation in response to an increasingly complex global security landscape.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Kallas said “we are very like-minded partners, the European Union and Nigeria. And today we explored new ways to collaborate. The global security situation is very serious, as the geopolitical picture shows”.

She emphasised the importance of sustaining alliances among countries that uphold international norms and rules-based systems.

“That’s why those countries that value the international rules-based space system must stick together,” she added.

She disclosed that both sides examined opportunities to scale up trade and investment flows, noting that further areas of engagement remain open.

“We talked today with the ministers about different topics. On issues of investment and trade, and there could be more. The second is critical raw materials. We are looking for different cooperation, but also in terms of security and cybersecurity issues, where we can cooperate even more,” Kallas stated.

The EU envoy’s remarks come against the backdrop of intensifying global competition for critical minerals and heightened concerns over cybersecurity threats and geopolitical instability.

President Tinubu, on his part, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening its longstanding partnership with the European Union, while expressing appreciation for the bloc’s continued support to the country.

The meeting underscored Nigeria’s strategic positioning as a key partner to the EU in Africa, particularly in areas of trade, resource development and regional security.

It is believed that the renewed engagement could open fresh investment channels and enhance cooperation in tackling shared security challenges, including terrorism, cyber threats and supply chain disruptions.