The political dimension of the relations between Nigeria and the EU is articulated in Articles 8 to 13 - of the revised Cotonou Partnership Agreement. Article 8 in particular spells out the objectives and the key topics of the political dialogue.

Nigeria and the EU decided in 2008 to take their relationships to a new level through intensified dialogue and enhanced cooperation. Nigeria and the EU drew the main lines for a way forward to intensify their relations.

Nigeria – EU Joint way forward

In 2009, the EU and Nigeria formalized this commitment in the form of the Nigeria EU Joint Way Forward. They agreed to intensify their political dialogue and to hold at least a yearly senior officials' meeting and a Ministerial dialogue. The main areas of priorities identified for such dialogue are: Peace and security, good governance and human rights, economic development, including trade and regional integration, energy, environmental sustainability and climate change. Given the growing importance of Nigeria's influence in the region and in international fora, it was also agreed that the dialogue would cover regional and international cooperation, in addition to the domestic situation. The most recent meeting took place in in Brussels on 17^th March 2016. Joint communique.

In parallel, the EU and Nigeria agreed to set up a local dialogue on migration and development, as per article 13 of the Cotonou agreement. The dialogue, supported by development cooperation and a Working arrangement with FRONTEX, aims at maximising the contribution of the very significant remittances and Diaspora to Nigeria's development and Transformation agenda, at preventing and reducing irregular migration and trafficking of human beings, and at organising and facilitating legal migration and.

The dialogue allows exchanging information and identifying shared interests and practical measures of cooperation, to strengthen relations and build trust and commitment between Nigeria and the EU in this domain. The sixth session of the NG-EU dialogue on Migration Development took place on 20 March, 2013.

A local informal human rights dialogue was also established in 2009. It is held at least on a yearly basis. The latest and third session took place in 2013. It allowed the two parties to discuss a large range of issues, including death penalty, torture and extrajudicial killings, women's rights, children's rights and the protection of minorities. Cooperation in international fora, notably the UN Human Rights Council, was also discussed.

In addition to the local dialogue with the Nigerian authorities, the EU has decided to conduct at least a yearly consultation with human rights organisations. The first meeting was held on 10 February 2011. Civil society organisations are also able to benefit from financial support from the EU, including through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights. A new dialogue will be held in 2016.

At the Ministerial meeting, in January 2012, Nigeria and the EU agreed to set up a local dialogue on peace, stability and security. Although the dialogue still needs to be put in place, this subject was one of the priority points for the last ministerial dialogue in March 2016.

Cooperation between the European Union and Nigeria aims to assist in the country’s economic, political and social development. Such an ambitious goal calls for activity in a range of inter-related areas.

In the political arena, the EU and its member states play a prominent role in helping democratic rule in Nigeria to strengthen and flourish. Regular political dialogue with the Nigerian authorities ensures healthy and productive cooperation, covering regional as well as domestic issues.

On trade matters, regular dialogue with Nigeria, the region’s trading giant, is critical. Other issues of common concern, including such diverse issues as terrorism, migration, climate change, and vaccine-preventable diseases, are also subjects of regular discussion and cooperation with the relevant Nigerian bodies. 

Development Cooperation

Development cooperation between the EU and Nigeria dates back to 1976 when Nigeria joined the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states as a signatory to the Lomé Convention. However, this relationship was suspended in 1995 because of the execution of nine Ogoni rights activists, including playwright, Ken Saro-Wiwa, by the then military government.

With the return to democracy in 1999, relations between the EU and Nigeria were resumed. EU-Nigeria relations have since acquired a higher political profile through the holding of an EU Troika/Nigeria meeting at ministerial level in May 2004. 

For further information please contact the Delegation or go to our project page.

Regional Cooperation                       

The EU also supports the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), with its headquarters in Abuja.  This includes strengthening the efforts of ECOWAS to build a common market, based on a Custom Union and the principles of free movement of goods, people and services, as well as to foster democracy and to maintain peace and security in West Africa.

European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO)

ECHO supports international relief organisations operating in Nigeria. Since 2010, the European Union has funded humanitarian partners in providing emergency food assistance, health and protection to displaced people and victims of conflict, as well as in improving the community management of acute malnutrition.

Currently, the EU is focussed on providing the basic needs of those displaced in the north-eastern part of Nigeria.  Furthermore, in order to increase delivery of coordinated assistance, the EU is advocating an increased presence of international humanitarian actors in Nigeria who are limited in number due to the volatile operating environment. Since the beginning of 2014, a total of €33 million has been allocated to humanitarian assistance in Nigeria.