Defence Minister, EU Ambassador Discuss €20m Security Support for Nigerian Armed Forces
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, has met with the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, to discuss strengthening security cooperation and bilateral defence agreements between Nigeria and the EU.
The meeting took place at the Minister’s office at Ship House, Abuja, during a working visit by the EU Ambassador and his delegation. Discussions focused on the review of existing security cooperation and modalities for delivering €20 million in assistance to the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the European Peace Facility.
During the meeting, Mignot commended the Minister’s efforts to improve Nigeria’s security situation and invited him to a meeting of defence ministers scheduled to hold in Brussels later this year.
In his response, General Musa expressed appreciation to the EU for its continued support for Nigeria, assuring the Ambassador of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to protecting lives and property and promoting national development.
The Minister noted that relative peace was gradually returning to 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 security challenges being addressed by the government.
He also disclosed that Nigeria was expecting the delivery of 10 attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other critical military equipment to strengthen operational capabilities, through efforts supported by the President.
Addressing regional security concerns, Musa highlighted the shrinking of the Lake Chad Basin, which supports more than 50 million people, as a potential source of instability. He stressed that denying terrorists safe havens on the islands of Lake Chad remained a key operational priority for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
On the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Programme, the Minister emphasised the need to prioritise victims of the conflict, including military personnel affected by insurgency and related security operations.
Ambassador Mignot announced that an EU technical delegation would visit Abuja in November to agree on the details and modalities for delivering the assistance.
He also commended the recent conference of former and serving MNJTF force commanders, which was attended by representatives of the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
The meeting reaffirmed Nigeria and the EU’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, supporting military capabilities and addressing security threats affecting Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad Basin region.
Defence Minister, EU Ambassador Discuss €20m Security Support for Nigerian Armed Forces