 and Nigeria are set to further strengthen their longstanding relationship through enhanced defence){kind=link}
The European Union (EU) and Nigeria are set to further strengthen their longstanding relationship through enhanced defence cooperation, as both sides reaffirmed commitment to closer security engagements.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
While congratulating the CDS on his appointment, the Ambassador stated the intention of the EU to support Nigeria towards overcoming its security challenges.
He reiterated the importance of Nigeria to members of the European Union with 19 out of 27 member states maintaining diplomatic representation in the country.
The EU Ambassador highlighted many ongoing EU non-kinetic projects across Nigeria to support peace building efforts.
He restated the commitment of the EU to support Nigeria in the current complex moment which is not limited to the military alone but includes broader areas including governance and politics.
The CDS expressed gratitude for all that the EU does in support of Nigeria.
The CDS was also full of appreciation for the EU’s plan to engage with Nigeria on the security front as opposed to the existing arrangement of giving military support to mainly the Multinational Joint Task Force.
He also solicited for the fast tracking of the process as Nigeria is grappling with multi-faceted security challenges and would therefore warmly welcome support from the EU in tackling the challenges.