Vice President Kashim Shettima recently welcomed European Union delegates to Abuja’s Presidential Villa, stressing how Europe and Africa must unlock their combined potential for meaningful progress.
Speaking to EU Ambassador Gautier Mignot’s team, he urged moving beyond good intentions to deliver real transformation through partnership.
Shettima described Europe as Nigeria’s natural ally, praising existing EU investments that support President Tinubu’s reforms. He proposed evolving their relationship from donor-recipient dynamics to shared prosperity builders. “We seek true collaboration, not charity,” he explained, emphasizing mutual benefit over aid dependency in EU-Africa relations.
The Vice President highlighted potential cooperation through the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, particularly on infrastructure projects. He cited modern rail networks, upgraded ports, solar energy farms, and technical education hubs as priority areas needing joint investment between both regions.
Democracy, religious freedom, and climate resilience formed key talking points during the discussions. Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to these shared values while advocating for balanced, multilateral engagement. Ambassador Mignot responded by detailing Europe’s substantial economic footprint across Africa, noting their €309 billion investment surpasses American and Chinese contributions.
Conversation shifted to the AU-EU Joint Vision 2030 framework established during their 2022 summit. Both parties acknowledged how this roadmap complements Africa’s development aspirations through the Continental Free Trade Agreement’s implementation.
Later that day, Shettima hosted Zambia’s presidential envoy Dr. Samuel Miambo, reinforcing Nigeria’s historical ties with the southern African nation. He applauded Zambia’s democratic legacy and anti-apartheid activism while receiving President Hichilema’s special message.
Dr. Miambo presented Zambia’s AfDB leadership bid and proposed establishing an African Energy Excellence Center in Nigeria. Shettima pledged Nigeria’s support for these initiatives, recognizing their potential to boost continental energy security and infrastructure development.
These parallel meetings demonstrated Nigeria’s dual focus – strengthening global alliances with Europe while deepening regional cooperation across Africa. From Brussels to Lusaka, Abuja positions itself as a bridge for equitable partnerships driving sustainable development. The discussions underscored Africa’s growing agency in shaping international collaborations that deliver concrete improvements in citizens’ lives.
Through such diplomatic engagements, Nigeria continues advocating for relationships where all parties contribute meaningfully and benefit fairly. Whether with longstanding EU partners or neighboring African states, the emphasis remains on creating win-win scenarios that translate dialogue into tangible progress for communities. This approach reflects the continent’s maturing role in global affairs, demanding cooperation based on respect and shared objectives rather than traditional donor paradigms.