EU Says Nigeria Matters to Us, Reiterates Commitment to Strengthening Partnership 

Michael Olugbode on Abuja

The Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, David MacAllister, yesterday, declared the importance of Nigeria to the bloc, stating that Nigeria “matters” to us.

He also reiterated the bloc’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing partnership with Africa’s largest democracy, Nigeria.

MacAllister, who led a six-member European Parliament delegation on an official visit to Nigeria after a meeting with the Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed that their mission to Nigeria was designed to deepen mutual understanding, explore new areas of collaboration, and reinforce political and economic ties between both sides.

He said: “We are a delegation of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, we are six members in total from five different countries, from three different political groups in the European Parliament. And this shows a cross-party interest in further deepening and strengthening the relations between the European Union and Nigeria.”

MacAllister, while describing Nigeria as a strategic partner whose influence on the continent and beyond makes it an indispensable ally in shaping Africa–EU relations, said, “Nigeria is considered as a strategic partner for the European Union. We have a long-lasting, good and close relationship based on shared values and also on joint interests.”

He noted that the visit was part of the Parliament’s tradition of engaging directly with partner nations to better understand their challenges and opportunities.

Responding, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, welcomed the lawmakers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, describing the European Union as a critical partner in trade, security, and development.

He said, “Any visit from the European Union has to be considered very important because Europe still remains our largest trading partner,” adding that, “Figures may vary, but it is not less than 31.8 billion euros.”

He described Europe and Africa as “natural neighbours,” emphasising that geography should unite rather than separate the two continents.

He said, “For those who understand a bit of Latin, ‘Mediterranean’ means ‘water in the middle of land. So, where Europe is concerned in its relations to Africa, what we have is water in the middle of land—we are closer than we imagine.”

He noted that Nigeria’s partnership with the EU extended beyond trade, touching on regional stability, food security, and job creation.