Okay News reports that the European Union (EU) has restated its unwavering respect for the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, assuring that its partnership with the West African nation remains grounded in mutual cooperation and shared democratic values — not foreign influence.
Speaking in Lagos during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Gautier Mignot, emphasised that the EU’s stance is independent of recent comments by United States President Donald Trump, who called for sanctions against Nigeria over alleged religious persecution.
“Our position is one of solidarity with Nigeria – solidarity with victims of violence, with authorities working to protect citizens, and with the Nigerian people who overwhelmingly desire peaceful coexistence beyond ethnic and religious divides,” Mignot said.
He stressed that the European Union and its member states “fully respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional commitment to religious neutrality,” reiterating that the bloc’s engagement with Abuja is based on long-standing cooperation in peace, security, and development.
Mignot disclosed that the EU is intensifying programmes supporting peacebuilding, deradicalisation, demobilisation, and reintegration of former members of non-state armed groups in Nigeria’s North-East region — an area affected by insurgency for more than a decade.
According to him, “The EU’s assistance covers all communities and victims of violence irrespective of religious or ethnic motives. Our objective is to strengthen coexistence, justice, and security.”
The ambassador also acknowledged that Nigeria faces challenges in human rights protection and freedom of religion, but affirmed that its “constitutional and institutional framework provides a strong foundation for fundamental rights.”
“The situation is not perfect, as in any country,” Mignot admitted. “But Nigeria has the legal basis to protect human rights. It is up to its authorities and citizens to sustain and strengthen this environment of peaceful coexistence.”
He announced that a peace, security, and defence dialogue between the EU and Nigeria is scheduled to hold soon, designed to deepen strategic collaboration on counter-terrorism, governance, and humanitarian assistance.
Mignot concluded by asserting that the EU’s partnership with Nigeria “is not driven by what others say or do but by shared interest in a stable, prosperous, and democratic Nigeria.”
His comments came days after President Trump urged Washington to review U.S. assistance to Nigeria, alleging anti-Christian violence and proposing Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
