The European Union (EU) has recently allocated €66 million to fund new migration-related projects in Nigeria, as it deepens cooperation with the country on migration management.
The EU also said it has allocated €26 million to security actions, including efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and drug trafficking. In addition, it has adopted its first bilateral assistance measure for Nigeria under the European Peace Facility, worth €20 million, to support the country’s counterterrorism efforts.
The EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS made the disclosure in a statement following a visit to Abuja on Tuesday by the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Mr Magnus Brunner.
The statement which was made available to Diplomatic Correspondents did however not say what the projects will cover or when the funds will be released.
During the visit, Brunner met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro.
The statement said cooperation on migration has deepened since the signing of the EU-Nigeria Readmission Agreement. It said this has produced significant improvements in migration management, notably through collaboration between Nigeria and EU agencies, including Europol, Eurojust and Frontex.
The EU also said it has allocated €26 million to security actions, including efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and drug trafficking. In addition, it has adopted its first bilateral assistance measure for Nigeria under the European Peace Facility, worth €20 million, to support the country’s counterterrorism efforts.
According to the statement, Brunner’s visit offers an opportunity to take stock of the partnership, advance cooperation on shared priorities and prepare the ground for engagement in areas beyond migration and security.
“Nigeria is a key partner for Europe, and our ties are steadily growing stronger,” Brunner said. “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.”
The statement noted that Team Europe, comprising the EU and its member states, is implementing the Global Gateway, the bloc’s sustainable investment offer to partner countries, through projects in several sectors in Nigeria. Relations have also gained momentum since the 8th EU-Nigeria Ministerial Meeting, held in Abuja in March and attended by the EU’s High Representative and Vice-President, Kaja Kallas.
