The Federal Government has begun concluding processes with the European Union to receive a €20 million military support package designed to assist the Armed Forces of Nigeria in counterterrorism duties.
Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.), made this known during a meeting in Abuja with officials from the European External Action Service, according to Punch. The visiting team was headed by Claire Gaudin, who serves as the Head of the European Peace Facility.
A statement issued by the minister's media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, revealed that the package marks the European Union's first bilateral defence assistance programme for Nigeria. The funding deal was approved in October 2026.
Speaking on the development, Musa explained that the intervention will improve the strength of troops fighting insurgent groups, especially around the Lake Chad Basin. He explained that the initial rollout focuses on non-lethal resources, technical instruction, and regular maintenance, while future arrangements could cover medical logistics and surveillance tools.
The minister also called on the European Union to build local manufacturing plants for defence supplies in Nigeria, taking advantage of momentum from the Africa Defence Exhibition. He added that the country remains focused on cutting off global funding channels used by terrorist networks.
Gaudin stated that the €20 million intervention will provide protective uniforms, night vision tools, counter-unmanned aircraft systems, and equipment to counter improvised explosive devices. She explained that the items were chosen alongside Nigerian military authorities following joint consultations.
She noted that Nigeria is part of more than 20 African nations benefitting from the facility, which assists 30 partners across the globe. She added that the programme will support wider security plans run by the Multinational Joint Task Force, while both sides also discussed collaboration on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
The European Peace Facility was created in March 2021 by the 27 member states of the European Union. Operating outside the main EU budget for the 2021 to 2027 period, it aids partner militaries to enhance security and conflict prevention.
