Nigeria, EU Record €31.8bn Trade Volume as Ties Deepen

Nigeria, EU Record €31.8bn Trade Volume as Ties Deepen

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has reaffirmed Europe’s position as the country’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade volumes surpassing €31.8 billion, reflecting the growing depth of economic relations between both sides.

Speaking in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Tuggar described the EU–Nigeria relationship as “a long-standing partnership rooted in shared geography, values, and mutual aspirations.”

“Europe is not just a partner; it is our neighbour. The Mediterranean Sea, our Mare Nostrum reminds us that our destinies are intertwined,” the minister said.

Tuggar highlighted that cooperation between Nigeria and the European Union remains critical in areas such as trade, security, energy transition, and sustainable development, noting that both partners have a shared responsibility to drive regional stability and prosperity.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is focusing on food security, job creation, and healthcare, adding that Nigeria’s collaboration with the EU aligns with its broader goals of economic diversification and self-reliance.

The minister also pointed out that Nigeria’s recent membership in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) offers new opportunities for investment and cooperation, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure, and energy.

“Nigeria has a duty not only to itself but to the entire continent. We are working to integrate African markets and industries through ECOWAS and the AfCFTA, much like Europe once did through its own integration process,” Tuggar said.

He commended the European Union’s integration journey as a model for Africa, noting that both regions must continue to strengthen ties around economic development, democratic governance, and peacebuilding.

In his response, David McAllister, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, who led the six-member delegation representing five countries and three political groups, described Nigeria as a “strategic political and economic partner” for the European Union.

“Our visit underscores the EU’s commitment to understanding Nigeria’s vision for the region and to strengthening the cooperation that binds us,” McAllister said.

He noted that the visit comes ahead of the EU–AU Summit in Angola this November, adding that discussions focused on Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security, particularly in the Sahel, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

McAllister expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for its hospitality and openness, describing Nigeria as “an essential pillar of Africa’s stability and progress.”

He said the visit forms part of the EU’s broader engagement strategy to listen, learn, and deepen partnerships with African nations, a commitment that continues to guide Europe’s relationship with Nigeria.