Nigeria and the European Union have taken fresh steps towards strengthening defence cooperation, as both sides move to consolidate an evolving security partnership amid Nigeria’s complex threat environment.
Zig Diaries Defence
Date: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Time: 20:45 WAT
Location: 📍 Abuja, Nigeria
This direction emerged on Wednesday when the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, Armed Forces Medal, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
During the engagement, the EU Ambassador congratulated the Defence Chief on his appointment and reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in addressing its security challenges. He underscored Nigeria’s strategic importance to the EU, noting that 19 out of the Union’s 27 member states maintain diplomatic representation in the country.
Ambassador Mignot highlighted several ongoing EU non kinetic interventions across Nigeria, particularly in peacebuilding and stabilisation efforts. He stressed that the Union’s support for Nigeria goes beyond military cooperation, extending to governance and political frameworks aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity.
According to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the EU envoy reiterated that the current security moment requires comprehensive engagement, combining defence support with broader institutional and societal interventions.
In his response, the Chief of Defence Staff expressed appreciation for the European Union’s longstanding support to Nigeria, noting that he was fully conversant with its various contributions to national stability.
General Oluyede welcomed the EU’s intention to broaden defence engagement with Nigeria beyond the existing focus on support to the Multinational Joint Task Force, describing the proposed shift as timely and strategic.
He urged the European Union to fast track the engagement process, stressing that Nigeria is currently confronting multi faceted security challenges across different theatres and would greatly benefit from expanded cooperation and support.
The meeting reflects a growing convergence between Nigeria and the European Union on the need for deeper, more structured defence engagement as part of a wider effort to promote regional stability, peacebuilding and long term security.
🏷️ Tags: Nigeria EU relations, defence cooperation, Defence Headquarters, CDS Oluyede, European Union, national security
#ZigDiariesDefence #NigeriaEU #DefenceCooperation #NationalSecurity #DefenceDiplomacy
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