Nigeria and EU finalize €20 million military support deal

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the European Union are in the process of finalizing a €20 million military support package aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for counterterrorism operations. This was announced by the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), during a meeting with a delegation from the European External Action Service, led by Claire Gaudin, at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.

The package, which is the EU's first-ever bilateral defence support to Nigeria, was approved in October 2026. Musa emphasized that this assistance would significantly enhance the capabilities of Nigerian troops, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin.

The current phase of the support focuses on non-lethal equipment and technical training, with future phases expected to include military medical support and advanced surveillance capabilities. Gaudin noted that the package would provide essential equipment such as counter-improvised explosive device tools and night vision capabilities, identified through consultations with the Armed Forces of Nigeria.