ABUJA: The European Union has announced a €288 million support package to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare, agriculture, finance, migration, climate, and digital public infrastructure sectors.
The move signals a deepening of cooperation under the new EU-Nigeria Partnership.
The announcement came at an EU-Nigeria Ministerial news conference in Abuja.
Mr Stefano Signore, Director General of International Partnerships at the European Commission, said the funding is part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy to accelerate investment in critical sectors.
Signore highlighted healthcare and agriculture as key areas where EU support will improve standards, infrastructure, local manufacturing, and inclusion. He also emphasised efforts to support sustainable migration and provide better opportunities for returnee migrants.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Abubakar Bagudu, said the initiative builds on momentum from the 2023 EU-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue. Represented by Dr Doris Anite-Uzoka, he stressed that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to an investment-driven relationship anchored on mutual respect and sustainable development.
Bagudu added that under President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria is implementing macroeconomic reforms to stabilise the economy, improve transparency, and create an enabling environment for private sector-led growth.
Dr Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, said the EU partnership channels long-term investment into critical sectors, particularly healthcare and agriculture, which are central to national resilience and inclusive growth.
Finland, leading the Team Europe Initiative, will support Nigeria’s digital public services and the development of three million technical talents.
Implementation will be led by Finland’s HAUS and Estonia’s ESTDEV agency.
Mr Uche Amaonwu of the Gates Foundation highlighted the importance of health manufacturing, praising the partnership for translating financing into tangible investment for Nigerian healthcare players.
Officials said the €288 million package will support digital infrastructure, healthcare manufacturing, agriculture development, skills training, and migration governance. The EU described the initiative as a major step in deepening economic, social, and technological cooperation with Nigeria.
