The United Nations and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen strategic partnership to defend Nigeria’s inclusive growth, working together on economic transformation, peace and security, and transition towards nationally led development and humanitarian action.

Speaking at an EU-UN engagement in Abuja, the Ambassador of the European Union Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, explained that it will provide opportunity to strengthen relations with Ambassadors of EU Member States and UN agencies, supporting and assessing the future opportunities for cooperation in Nigeria.

Mignot said that their scale of cooperation is substantial, and EU-funded ongoing projects are implemented by UN agencies in Nigeria, including several West African initiatives managed from the country, have reached €475 million, encompassing 32 projects, like humanitarian interventions.

The Ambassador stressed that, despite growing pressures on multilateralism and international law, countries across regions continue to look to the United Nations as a central forum for addressing global challenges.

He therefore emphasised that defending multilateralism should not mean defending the status quo, and that “International partners are calling for greater representation, improved access to finance, development, climate resilience and tangible results.”

The Envoy also underscored the need for UN reform to combine efficiency with representation, ownership and effective delivery, while strengthening the legitimacy of the multilateral system.

Also,UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, described the EU and its Member States as essential partners of the UN at a time when multilateralism, international solidarity and the founding principles of the UN are under increasing pressure.
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Fall stated that “This strategic engagement reflects the shared commitment of the United Nations and the European Union to strengthen consultation not only at the global level, but also at the country level.”

While acknowledging Nigeria’s improving macroeconomic indicators and the difficult reforms undertaken by the Government, he said the country’s economy recorded broader growth during the first half of 2026, supported by agriculture and manufacturing, while inflation declined compared with early 2025.

He cautioned that macroeconomic gains had not yet sufficiently improved conditions for vulnerable households, but there is an improved fiscal revenues and higher allocations to states also present opportunities for increased investment in development and public services.

“The central challenge is to translate economic stabilisation into jobs, increased productivity, stronger public services and reduced poverty. Nigeria has enormous potential, from its natural resources and resilient population to its vibrant private sector, creative industries and innovation ecosystem.”

He called for greater domestic resource mobilisation, productive private-sector investment, stronger institutions and increased investment in human capital, particularly for Nigeria’s growing youth population.These strengths must deliver tangible benefits for all Nigerians.

Fall maintained that the UN is supporting Nigeria’s transition towards greater government leadership and financing of humanitarian action, saying that this transition must not be interpreted as the end of the humanitarian crisis.

“A humanitarian transition does not mean that humanitarian needs have disappeared. It means progressively strengthening government leadership, national systems and domestic financing while ensuring that vulnerable people continue to receive the protection and assistance they need,” he said

UN Coordinator further explained, the domestication of the Kampala Convention, provides a stronger legal foundation for protecting and assisting internally displaced persons. Continued cooperation will be needed to translate this framework into effective implementation.

The strategic engagement was attended by Ambassadors from European Union countries and Heads of UN agencies in Nigeria. This annual dialogue mirrors the engagement held at global level between the UN Secretary-General and the President of the European Union Commission. The EU is the leading donor for UN Nigeria programmes across the country.