The European Union has announced plans to deploy an expert mission for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections and sustain its support for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), media, civil society organisations, political parties and the National Assembly.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, disclosed this when he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
According to a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, the meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria-EU relations and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including elections, migration, security, multilateral cooperation and sustainable development.
The statement said both sides agreed on the importance of inclusive, peaceful and credible electoral processes as a means of promoting democratic stability in West Africa, while underscoring the need for continued regional and international support for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Mignot briefed the Minister on the EU’s engagement with INEC and said the bloc had decided to deploy an expert mission rather than a conventional electoral observation mission for the 2027 elections.
He also informed the Minister that the EU would sustain its support to INEC, the media, civil society organisations, political parties and the National Assembly to strengthen electoral processes and democratic institutions in Nigeria.
The EU Ambassador stressed the importance of electoral inclusivity, voter education and adequate preparations for the elections, including ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
On migration, the statement said Mignot informed the Minister that technical work was progressing towards formalising a readmission agreement between Nigeria and the EU, building on existing informal arrangements between Nigeria and individual EU member states.
Both sides also discussed cooperation on migration management, combating human trafficking, legal pathways for migration, returns and readmission, with the two sides recognising the importance of regular migration pathways and arrangements that uphold human dignity.
The Minister and Mignot further reviewed EU initiatives covering freedom of navigation, the Global Green Bond Initiative and the Electrify Now initiative, which seeks to accelerate global electrification and access to clean energy, in the context of Nigeria’s development priorities.
They also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and its implications for food security and global commodity markets, as well as developments in the Middle East, reaffirming support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The statement said the two sides agreed to maintain regular consultations, strengthen high-level exchanges and existing cooperation mechanisms, while ensuring timely communication and follow-up through established diplomatic channels to advance agreed outcomes.
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