EU Pledges €20 Million Defence Support to Nigeria to Tackle Insecurity

The European Union (EU) has pledged €20 million in defence assistance to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to strengthen the country’s capacity to tackle terrorism and other security challenges.

The proposed support, which will be provided under the EU’s European Peace Facility (EPF), was discussed during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gautier Mignot, in Abuja.

According to a statement issued by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Defence, the meeting focused on bilateral defence agreements and a review of security cooperation between Nigeria and the EU.

Mignot disclosed that an EU technical delegation would visit Abuja in November to agree on the modalities for delivering the assistance.

The ambassador also commended Nigeria’s defence leadership for its efforts to improve the country’s security situation and invited Musa to attend a meeting of defence ministers scheduled to take place in Brussels later in the year.

Nigeria Seeks to Strengthen Military Capabilities

Responding, Musa expressed appreciation for the EU’s continued support for Nigeria’s security efforts and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

The minister said relative peace was gradually returning to some troubled parts of the country through the efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

However, he acknowledged that kidnapping along major highways and attacks on isolated communities remained persistent challenges requiring sustained security operations.

Musa also disclosed that Nigeria was expecting the delivery of 10 attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other critical military equipment to strengthen operational capacity.

Lake Chad Security Remains a Priority

The defence minister identified the shrinking Lake Chad Basin, which supports the livelihoods of more than 50 million people, as a potential source of regional instability.

He stressed that denying terrorists access to operational hideouts on the islands of Lake Chad remained a key priority for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which coordinates regional efforts to combat insurgency.

Musa also emphasised the importance of Nigeria’s Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme, noting that its priorities should include victims of conflict, including military personnel affected by the insurgency.

The proposed EU assistance represents another step in Nigeria’s international defence partnerships as the country seeks to improve military effectiveness, strengthen regional security cooperation and address persistent threats to lives and livelihoods.