By Alex Omenye
The delegates from the Council of European Union’s Africa Working Group have initiated a four-day visit to Nigeria, landing in Abuja.
Scheduled from 26th to 29th February 2024, their agenda encompasses discussions with Nigerian officials, governmental bodies, civil society organizations, and representatives from regional, international, and private sectors in both Abuja and Lagos.
Tasked with overseeing the EU’s external policies towards Sub-Saharan Africa’s 46 nations, the African Union, and sub-regional entities like ECOWAS, the COAFR aims to strengthen ties and cooperation during their stay.
In Abuja, the COAFR delegation is set for meetings with crucial Federal Government departments, initiating discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, among others.
Furthermore, engagements are planned with the ECOWAS Commission, concentrating on regional developments and the integration process.
Moving to Lagos, their itinerary includes meetings with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Consuls General from EU member states, and leaders of the European Business Chamber in Nigeria. They will also tour various EU-supported initiatives in the state, showcasing advancements in digital technology, innovation, critical infrastructure, connectivity, and migration.
These interactions aim to strengthen the partnership between the EU and Nigeria. This visit marks the group’s inaugural working visit to Nigeria, with the delegation comprising representatives from 17 EU Member States and officials from EU institutions.
This trip signifies the COAFR’s eleventh visit to the African continent and its third to West Africa, building on past visits to Senegal and Burkina Faso in 2015 and Ivory Coast and Ghana in 2019.
Notably, a notable number of high-ranking EU officials have recently visited Nigeria, underscoring the significant value the EU places on its partnership with the country.
