We see Nigeria as key partner, major player in Africa and the world – New EU ambassador

The European Union has once again reiterated the importance of Nigeria in its African mission, noting that the most populous African country is its key partner and major player in Africa and the world.

Speaking on Thursday, during a media conference, which held at Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Gautier Mignot, the new European Union ambassador to Nigeria, further highlighted the place of Nigeria in EU’s mission, 19 out of the 27 EU Member States, having embassies in Nigeria and working closely with the union to achieve its goals in the country.

According to Mignot, who replaced Ambassador Samuela Isopi last September, Nigeria has had cordial relationship with the EU and he is in the country to further that relationship considering the strength of the union, which Nigeria can benefit from.

With 27 member-states, 450 million populations, territory twice the size of Nigeria and a GDP comparable with the United States of America or China, the new ambassador insisted that Nigeria has a lot to gain from a Nigeria-EU partnership.

He also noted that the union was not only a major economic power, but a champion of peace, stability and sustainable development, which has won the union many global accolades, especially Peace Nobel Prize in 2012.

Disclosing his mission in Nigeria, the 55-year-old French-born diplomat, who started his diplomatic career with the French Diplomatic Service, said: “My mission in Nigeria is to bring the EU-Nigeria partnership to a higher level, with one goal, which is to positively impact the Nigerian population.”

Speaking further, he said: “As I told President Bola Tinubu last Friday, when I presented my credentials, in uncertain times, like the one we are living, a fast-evolving world, like the one we are living, you need constant and faithful partners and this what the EU is and wants to be for Nigeria.”

The new ambassador also disclosed that the leadership of the EU was very much interested in Nigeria, while expressing hope for high-level visits by the leadership and meetings, which are soon to be announced, all aimed at further strengthening the partnership between the host country and the union.

He is also working with the Nigerian EU team, comprising many European nationals and their Nigerian colleagues to implement the decisions made by EU leaders to strengthen the partnership.

Excited to be in Nigeria after his first visit about 10 years ago, the new ambassador noted that the EU was interested in seeing Nigeria consolidate its role as an anchor of stability in Africa and progress on its path towards a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future, resting on a robust democracy and allowing all citizens to enjoy their fundamental rights.

“We want to help in this endeavour, with a full respect for Nigeria sovereignty and with humility because in such a large country, we cannot pretend that our cooperation is the main driver of change,” he noted.

Part of his mission is also to boost visibility of the union and combat disinformation and misperceptions, which he noted, is where the press has a very important role to play.

In terms of business and investment, he noted that the EU was Nigeria’s first trade and investment partner and the European Business Chamber Nigeria (EUROCHAM) annual stakeholders’ conference, which held on January 30, 2025, in Lagos, was one of the many initiatives to boost trade and investment between the union and Nigeria.

“EU was Nigeria’s top trading partner in 2023, with 28 percent of its total trade. Total trade in goods amounts to EUR 35 billion (2023), with an average annual growth rate of 1.5 percent of EU imports and 0.9 percent of EU exports (2019-2023). Nigeria benefits from a EUR 10.7 billion trade surplus with the EU.

“Our foreign direct investment (FDI) stock accounts for about one third of Nigeria’s FDI, totalling EUR 26.4 billion in 2022.

“There are hundreds of EU companies present in Nigeria. EU companies have strict compliance policies on anti-corruption, environment, labour and more generally all local legislation. They are key providers of jobs and equally importantly managerial, technological and vocational training,” he noted.

He also disclosed that the EU, member states, European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, came together as “Team Europe” and are Nigeria’s main development partners.

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In view of the above, the EU has initiated Global Gateway, its new investment strategy, aiming at connecting people and accelerating green, digital and inclusive transition in partner countries like Nigeria.

The development implies leveraging and accelerating investment and to increasingly work in coordination with EU companies, to bring concrete benefits to Nigerians.

The flagship projects under the Global Gateway, according to the new EU ambassador to Nigeria, include inter alia Omi Eko (Lagos waterway transport), development of the renewable energy sector (solar, small hydropower), and production of vaccines (MAV+), Erasmus+ and Horizon programmes.

He also noted that the EU recognises the importance of accelerating Nigeria’s industrialisation and maximising the opportunities for local added-value and job creation.

“With the Global Gateway Investment Strategy, the EU works in sectors crucial for the transformation and diversification of the Nigerian economy such as energy, digital economy, and agriculture and food security”.

The EU also invests in human development: health, education and social protection, as well as in good governance, migration issues and fundamental rights.

It is also increasingly developing projects in the North of the country as a whole to respond to the specific development needs of that part of Nigeria, with a cooperation budget for 2021-2027 amounting to EUR 731 million in grants and complemented by other instruments.

“The European Investment Bank is active in Nigeria with several loans ranging from digital to agriculture, transport and youth and women employment priorities, with an active pipeline of up to EUR 1.3 billion of ongoing operations. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will soon also extend its operations to West Africa, bringing more financing opportunities, in particular for the private sector”.

Moreover, the ambassador noted that the EU recognises the importance of solidarity and remains committed to partnering with the government of Nigeria in assisting the people affected by conflict and violence as well as natural induced disaster.

“Together with its Member States, it is one of the main humanitarian donors in Nigeria. This assistance saves countless lives every day”.

But the current EU humanitarian response is provided in the sectors of protection, food security, nutrition, shelter, water and sanitation, education in emergencies, disaster preparedness, which amounts to EUR 102 million for EU27, almost half of it from the EU.

The union also pays particular attention to the humanitarian-development-peace nexus in order to provide durable solutions to populations.

With all these going for the European Union and many benefits for Nigeria, the new ambassador and his team are working to further strengthen the Nigeria-EU partnership for even more benefits and mutual understanding.

Also, in attendance at the Lagos media conference are: Massimo De Luca, head of cooperation, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS and Rikard Nordeman, head, Trade and Economic Section, EU Nigeria.