Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the European Union (EU) and Africa to maximise their partnership for the continent’s transformative development.
He made the call on Thursday during a meeting with an EU delegation led by Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, at the Presidential Villa.
Shettima described the EU as Nigeria’s natural partner, noting that its investments have supported key reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The Vice-President highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the European Union for mutual benefit.
He stressed that the partnership should progress from promises to tangible development outcomes for both sides.
Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to leverage the EU’s Global Gateway initiative to invest in smart, clean, and secure infrastructure across the country.
This includes accelerating high-speed rail projects, improving ports and airports, boosting renewable energy, and expanding vocational training centres.
He called on both the continent and the EU to realise their shared potential, describing the EU as “our natural allies and partners.
“I am guided by logic and rationality. Our relationship with the EU is long-term, with much room for growth.”
Shettima added: “Nigerians and Africans expect this partnership to deliver meaningful outcomes, not just words.
“We want more joint ventures, better trade under AfCFTA, and sustained investment in energy, education, and digital inclusion.”
Nigeria, he noted, shares with the EU key values like democracy, freedom of worship, inclusivity, and gender equality.
He said now is the time to shape a future where multilateral cooperation brings genuine mutual benefits.
“We want the EU to move from being a donor to a co-creator of African prosperity.
“We seek a partnership based on equality, not aid. Together we can create prosperity and opportunity.
“We share many values: democracy, inclusivity, gender empowerment, green innovation, and climate resilience.
“On many issues, we and the EU are aligned,” the Vice-President said.
Speaking on the African Union (AU), Shettima praised its leadership for renewing the continent’s development vision.
He said the AU is repositioning Africa to become a co-author, not just a topic, in global discourse.
Ambassador Mignot noted the strength of EU-Africa relations, marking 25 years of sustained partnership.
“The EU is Africa’s top trading partner, investor, aid provider, and humanitarian donor,” he said.
EU foreign direct investment in Africa reached €309 billion in 2022, surpassing that of the US and China.
“This underlines our strong commitment to Africa, and we aim to deepen that presence,” Mignot added.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the Joint Vision for 2030, set during the 2022 AU-EU Summit.
This vision aligns with Agenda 2063 and the operational goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
