Nigeria and EU Set to Deepen Ties, Plan Major 2026 Summit

Abuja, Nigeria | January 14, 2026

Nigeria and the European Union have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership, with plans underway for a major ministerial meeting scheduled to hold in Abuja in March 2026.

The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting between Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, and the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, according to a statement issued by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimibie Ebienfa.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation, with a renewed focus on diversifying Nigeria’s economy away from oil dependency. Key non-oil sectors identified for expanded collaboration include agriculture, the digital economy, and green innovation, which are seen as critical drivers of sustainable growth and job creation.

The European Union pledged continued support for Nigeria in areas of counter-terrorism, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, and efforts to address the root causes of instability, particularly youth unemployment. In response, Nigeria called for increased EU assistance in climate adaptation initiatives and the transfer of green technologies to support the country’s environmental and energy transition goals.

Discussions also covered migration management, with both sides agreeing on the need for a balanced and mutually beneficial approach. This includes the development of skills partnerships aligned with the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, which aims to boost investments in Nigerian infrastructure, clean energy projects, and youth-focused programs.
Both Nigeria and the European Union expressed confidence in the continued growth of their partnership, describing 2026 as a pivotal year for enhanced cooperation ahead of the planned ministerial summit in Abuja.