By Gloria Ikibah
The European Union has committed €112 million to support Nigeria’s security operations, counterterrorism efforts and migration management as both sides move to deepen cooperation on shared priorities. 
The funding comprises €66 million for migration-related projects, €26 million for security actions, including efforts to tackle small arms proliferation and drug trafficking, and €20 million under the European Peace Facility to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
The European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, disclosed the commitment of the EU during a visit to Abuja on Tuesday, where he held meetings with key members of the Federal Government.
Brunner met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the EU said the visit was part of efforts to strengthen its engagement with Nigeria, which it described as one of its key partners in Africa.
Brunner said: “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”.
On migration, the EU said cooperation had improved in recent years, particularly through collaboration between Nigerian authorities and European agencies, including Europol, Eurojust and Frontex.
It said the partnership had gained further momentum following the signing of the EU-Nigeria Readmission Agreement, which provides a framework for cooperation on migration management.
The EU added that its €66 million allocation would support new projects aimed at strengthening migration-related cooperation.
On security, the bloc said its €26 million commitment would fund actions to address challenges such as the proliferation of small arms and drug trafficking.
It also highlighted the adoption of its first bilateral assistance measure to Nigeria under the European Peace Facility, worth €20 million, to support the country’s counterterrorism efforts.
The EU said its relationship with Nigeria extended beyond migration and security, noting that both sides shared a commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order.
It said the EU and its member states, under the Team Europe initiative, were implementing the Global Gateway programme in Nigeria through projects covering several sectors.
The bloc also pointed to the 8th EU-Nigeria Ministerial Meeting held in Abuja in March, which was attended by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, as a recent milestone in bilateral relations.
According to the EU, Nigeria’s strategic position in West Africa and the wider region makes it an important partner in regional economic cooperation, security, migration and trade.
It said Brunner’s visit will provide an opportunity to review progress in the partnership, advance cooperation on shared priorities and prepare for broader engagement beyond migration and security.
