Nigeria, EU finalise modalities for €20m defence help bundle

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), has held strategic talks with a delegation from the European Union (EU) to finalise supply modalities for the €20 million defence help bundle granted to Nigeria beneath the European Peace Facility (EPF), the EU’s first-ever bilateral defence bundle for the nation.

This was contained in an announcement by Special Assistant on Media to the  Minister Leah Katung-Babatunde.

Receiving the European External Action Service (EEAS) delegation, led by Ms. Claire Gaudin, on the Ministry of Defence Headquarters (Ship House) in Abuja, General Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to constructing indigenous defence capacities towards self-sufficiency.

He welcomed the bilateral help, sealed in October 2026, noting that it’ll considerably bolster the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in ongoing counterterrorism efforts, notably throughout the Lake Chad Basin.

General Musa urged the European Union to leverage the momentum of the not too long ago concluded Africa Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) to ascertain native defence manufacturing strains in Nigeria. He additional emphasised Nigeria’s resolve to trace and dismantle terrorist financing networks globally, no matter the place they function.

While noting that the present EPF tranche focuses on non-lethal provides comprising tools, technical coaching, and upkeep, the Minister expressed optimism that vital areas akin to army medical help and superior surveillance can be integrated into subsequent phases of the programme.

Earlier, the chief of the delegation and Head of the European Peace Facility on the EEAS, Ms. Claire Gaudin, said that the €20 million facility will fund Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) tools, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), evening imaginative and prescient capabilities, and particular person protecting gear for deployed troops. She famous that these precedence areas had been collectively agreed upon with the management of the Armed Forces of Nigeria following in depth bilateral consultations.

Ms. Gaudin added that Nigeria joins over 20 African nations among the many 30 world beneficiaries of the EPF, with the help complementing broader regional stabilization efforts beneath the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). Both events additionally explored deeper collaboration on maritime safety, notably throughout the Gulf of Guinea.

Established by the 27 EU member states in March 2021 for the 2021–2027 monetary cycle, the European Peace Facility is an off-budget monetary instrument designed to reinforce the capability of companion armed forces worldwide to forestall battle, construct peace, and strengthen worldwide safety.