By Peter Omopo
The European Union has announced a €290 million investment package for Nigeria to support key sectors including healthcare, agriculture, digital infrastructure and migration management.
The announcement was made during the Eighth Nigeria–EU Ministerial Dialogue held in Abuja, co-chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
According to a statement by the EU delegation, the investment is part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties while addressing Nigeria’s development priorities.
Kallas said the initiative reflects the EU’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Nigeria, noting that increased investment aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda.
A breakdown of the package shows that €131 million will be invested in digitalisation to expand connectivity and improve digital services across the country. The project includes plans to roll out about 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable to improve internet access, as well as support digital skills development under Nigeria’s technical talent programme.
In the health sector, €55 million has been earmarked to boost local production of medicines and vaccines. The funding will be provided through financial institutions to support companies and strengthen workforce capacity through technical training.
Agriculture will receive €86 million to support cocoa and dairy value chains, improve access to finance for farmers and agribusinesses, and promote climate-smart practices. The initiative is also expected to support Nigeria’s goal of increasing milk production and expanding agricultural exports.
An additional €16 million has been allocated to migration management, focusing on reintegration support for returning migrants and efforts to combat human trafficking. The EU said it would work with Nigerian authorities to strengthen support systems and tackle criminal networks involved in trafficking.
EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said the investments are designed to create sustainable jobs, improve infrastructure and deliver long-term economic benefits.
The new package adds to existing EU commitments in Nigeria, including investments in transport, renewable energy, governance and social development, bringing total EU support to €962.5 million since 2025.
