By Sandra Kenneth
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has announced that the European Union is set to extend €20 million in defense support to Nigeria to bolster the Armed Forces in combating insecurity.
The assistance will be channeled through the European Peace Facility, with an EU technical delegation scheduled to visit Abuja in November to finalize implementation modalities.
The disclosure was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the minister’s aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, titled ‘EU to Deliver €20m Defence Support to Nigerian Armed Forces’. According to the statement, the announcement followed a working visit by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gautier Mignot, to the minister at Ship House, Abuja.
Tackling Residual Security Challenges
Expressing gratitude for the EU’s unwavering backing, General Musa noted that relative peace is gradually being restored across the nation due to the relentless efforts of the military and sister security agencies.
However, he acknowledged that persistent security threats—such as highway kidnappings and isolated community attacks—remain focal points for the government. To boost operational capacity, the minister revealed that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is expecting the delivery of 10 attack helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and other vital military enablers.
Addressing regional stability, General Musa warned that the shrinking of Lake Chad, which sustains over 50 million people, poses a latent security risk. He stressed that denying terrorists operational hideouts on the lake’s islands remains a core objective for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), while also advocating for enhanced support for conflict victims and military personnel under Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) frameworks.
EU Commends Nigeria’s Security Efforts
In his remarks, Ambassador Mignot lauded General Musa’s leadership in improving the national security landscape and formally invited him to an upcoming meeting of defense ministers in Brussels later in the year.
Mignot also praised the recent gathering of past and present MNJTF force commanders, which drew key stakeholders from the African Union and the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
Confirming the timeline for the defense package, Mignot reiterated that the incoming technical team in November will ensure smooth collaboration and efficient delivery of the €20 million support.
