Nigeria deepens ties with Rwanda and EU, announces new security and agricultural aid

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthen bilateral relations with Rwanda following a courtesy visit by Rwandan High Commissioner Moses Rugema. The discussion covered expanding trade, investment, regional security cooperation, private‑sector participation and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area, with plans to convene a Nigeria‑Rwanda Joint Permanent Commission and establish a business forum.

In Abuja, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu and EU Ambassador Gautier Mignot reviewed the strategic partnership between Nigeria and the European Union, highlighting political dialogue, economic cooperation, security collaboration and sustainable development. The EU praised Nigeria’s role in the Multinational Joint Task Force and supported the North‑West Stabilisation Programme, while Nigeria thanked the EU for the Global Gateway Initiative and other development programmes.

The EU announced a €70 million package for Nigeria, split into €45 million for security and peacebuilding—including counter‑drone and counter‑IED equipment—and €25 million for agriculture, focusing on dairy and cocoa value chains. Additional funding of €20 million under the European Peace Facility and a €25 million peace and stabilisation programme for the North‑West region were also detailed, reinforcing the expanding partnership.