Nigeria Advocates Stronger Africa-Europe Partnership

Nigeria has called for a more strategic, equitable and resilient partnership between Africa and Europe to effectively address emerging global geopolitical challenges.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the call while speaking during the Geopolitics Panel at the Portugal EurAfrican Forum 2026, held under the theme: “How Will Africa and Europe Navigate Global Geopolitical Turmoil?”

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the rapidly evolving global environment, marked by armed conflicts, economic fragmentation, terrorism, climate change, food insecurity and disruptions to global supply chains, requires deeper cooperation anchored on mutual respect, shared responsibility and common interests.

The Minister stressed that Africa should no longer be perceived merely through the lens of humanitarian challenges or resource extraction, but recognised as a strategic partner with vast human capital, abundant natural resources, expanding markets and growing innovation potential.

She outlined four priority areas for strengthening Africa-Europe relations. These include promoting economic resilience through industrialisation, infrastructure development, technology and value chain expansion; enhancing cooperation on peace, security and counter-terrorism; advancing a fair and balanced climate agenda through increased climate financing and technology transfer; and reforming global governance institutions to reflect current geopolitical realities, including permanent representation for Africa on the United Nations Security Council.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed that Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda remains focused on strategic engagement, economic diplomacy, regional stability and mutually beneficial international partnerships.

She also urged African countries to pursue strategic autonomy by engaging global partners from a position of confidence, guided by national and continental interests rather than geopolitical competition.

The Minister called on Africa and Europe to build a relationship founded on trust, innovation and shared responsibility, saying such collaboration would enable both continents to better navigate global uncertainties while promoting peace, prosperity and inclusive development.

PR/Uju Oparaji