Tinubu calls for strengthening of nigeria-eu relations
Written by Adeola Ibrahim on October 20, 2023
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in Abuja called for the strengthening of cross-sectorial partnership between Nigeria and the European union (EU) based on the principles of democracy, rule of law, and freedom.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, who disclosed this said Tinubu stated this when he received a delegation of the EU, led by Ms Jutta Urpilainen, EU commissioner in charge of international partnerships.
The president welcomed the signing of eight financing agreements between Nigeria and the EU, under the “EU global gateway in Nigeria,” at a separate event earlier in Abuja.
The president said “democracy is not an easy process, but we must fight for democracy and struggle for it to win at all times,”
Tinubu stressed the importance of economic cooperation with the EU in the areas of digital education, traditional energy, renewable energy, and broadband access.
He told the visiting delegation that Nigeria’s economy was going through several long-lasting reforms to render it capable of pulling millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
“We have a young and vibrant population, and we are determined to succeed. if we succeed, democracy succeeds. if we succeed, freedom succeeds.
“We need all of our partners’ hands on deck to sail together. we look forward to strengthening our partnerships,” he said.
In her remarks, Urpilainen commended Nigeria for playing a pivotal role as a key partner of the EU, not only in politics and economics, but also in shaping the social landscape across the African continent.
The EU commissioner explained that over the past four years, the EU has been working to transform the nature of its relationship with Africa by shifting away from the traditional donor-recipient dynamic.
She said that the EU seeks to establish an equal and mutually beneficial partnership through the “global gateway” investment programme as a flagship example.
