The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has stated that Nigeria and the European Union (EU) must deepen their collaboration in defence and security to effectively tackle emerging threats.
The Minister made this known when he received Mr. Casmin Dirban, Director of the Peace Partnership and Crisis Management Department of the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.
During the meeting, both parties discussed enhancing cooperation on security matters, particularly in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry that have continued to affect Nigeria and the West African subregion.
Minister Badaru emphasized the need for a deliberate and strategic effort to explore additional areas of collaboration between Nigeria and the European Union in defence and security. He expressed optimism that stronger ties and shared intelligence would yield meaningful progress in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
Earlier, Mr. Casmin Dirban, who was accompanied by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Samuela Isopi*, acknowledged the existing bilateral relationship between the EU and Nigeria. He expressed the EU’s commitment to strengthening this cooperation, especially in areas that enhance peace, stability, and sustainable development.
The meeting highlighted mutual interests in boosting capacity-building, joint operations, and policy dialogue on regional security. It also reaffirmed the importance of multilateral engagement in addressing security issues that cut across borders.
