The European Union and Nigeria have agreed to explore cooperation on critical raw materials, investment, trade, and cybersecurity, as both partners seek to deepen ties amid what the EU described as a “very serious” global security situation.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, disclosed this on Monday after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at his Lagos residence.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the meeting in a statement on Monday in which he highlighted the commitment of both parties to deeper cooperation.
Kallas, who led the EU delegation, told reporters that the deliberations centred on security, trade, and commodities, with both sides identifying new areas for collaboration.
“We are very like-minded partners, the European Union and Nigeria. And today we explored new ways to collaborate. The global security situation is very serious, as the geopolitical picture shows,” she stated.
The EU official emphasised the need for countries that value the international rules-based system to strengthen cooperation in the face of global uncertainties.
“That’s why those countries that value the international rules-based system must stick together,” Kallas said.
She outlined specific areas where cooperation would be deepened, including investment, trade, critical raw materials, security, and cybersecurity.
“We talked today with the ministers about different topics. On issues of investment and trade, and there could be more. The second is critical raw materials.
“We are looking for different cooperation, but also in terms of security and cybersecurity issues, where we can cooperate even more,” the EU High Representative stated.
Kallas assumed her role as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in December 2024, succeeding Josep Borrell, and has been visiting key partner countries.
President Tinubu assured the EU of Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the partnership and expressed appreciation for previous support for the country.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, attended the meeting.
Monday’s gathering comes amid growing global competition for minerals essential to technology, renewable energy, and manufacturing, with Nigeria possessing significant deposits of lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, and other strategic minerals.
The European Union has been actively seeking to diversify its sources of critical raw materials to reduce dependence on China and other suppliers, particularly for minerals needed for electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, and digital technologies.
The EU is a major market for Nigerian exports and a source of imports, though Nigeria’s oil and gas exports have traditionally dominated the relationship.
Tinubu was in Lagos, where he observed the Eid-el-Fitr holidays, when he received the EU delegation.
