Nigeria and the EU recently concluded their first Peace, Security and Defence Dialogue in Brussels. As Nigeria represents 60% of West Africa’s GDP, the EU is doubling down on Nigeria as its primary partner for regional stability.
Nigeria and the European Union (EU) reached a significant diplomatic milestone by launching their first Peace, Security, and Defence Dialogue in Brussels.
This high-level meeting, co-chaired by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the EU’s EEAS Deputy Secretary-General, Charles Fries, marks a structural shift from ad-hoc cooperation to a formalized, strategic partnership.
The discussions centered on moving beyond traditional security aid toward a multidimensional alliance that addresses modern, “borderless” threats.
The EU committed to stepping up support for Nigeria’s fight against jihadist insurgencies and banditry. This includes enhancing Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) programs to handle former combatants.
Both parties agreed to deepen cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea, focusing on anti-piracy measures and protecting vital trade routes.
In a notable first, the dialogue established a framework to tackle Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and cybercrime, recognizing these as critical to national stability.
The parties welcomed a proposal for closer
law enforcement cooperation with Europol to combat drug trafficking, human smuggling, and migration.
Throughout the talks, the EU emphasized that its increased support would “fully respect Nigeria’s sovereignty,” focusing on “plugging capability gaps” rather than intervention.
The dialogue comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with a complex web of internal security shocks, including mass abductions and regional instability in the Lake Chad Basin. By institutionalizing this dialogue in Brussels, the EU and Nigeria aim to create a recurring high-level channel to align their strategic priorities and share technology, training, and intelligence more efficiently.
This security dialogue was immediately followed by negotiations for a Science and Technology Pact.
