Nigeria urges stronger Africa-Europe partnership to address global challenges

International, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Nigeria has called for a more strategic, equitable and resilient partnership between Africa and Europe to tackle growing geopolitical and economic challenges confronting the international community.

The call was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, during the Portugal EurAfrican Forum 2026, where she urged both continents to build stronger cooperation based on mutual respect, shared responsibility and common interests.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the minister spoke during Panel Six on Geopolitics, which examined the theme: “How Will Africa and Europe Navigate Global Geopolitical Turmoil?”

Odumegwu Ojukwu said the rapidly evolving global landscape—marked by armed conflicts, economic shocks, climate change, forced migration and disruptions to global supply chains—requires closer collaboration between Africa and Europe.

She stressed that Africa should no longer be viewed merely as a recipient of international support but as a strategic partner with vast human capital, abundant natural resources and growing investment opportunities.

The minister outlined four priority areas for strengthening cooperation between the two continents.

These, she said, include promoting peace and security through multilateral cooperation, expanding trade and investment, advancing climate resilience, and fostering cultural exchange.

She also advocated increased financial support and capacity-building initiatives through inclusive climate financing and technology transfer mechanisms.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to global peace and sustainable development, Odumegwu Ojukwu reiterated Africa’s longstanding demand for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council.

She said Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda remains focused on strategic engagement, economic diplomacy, regional stability and mutually beneficial international partnerships.

The minister further urged African countries to pursue greater strategic autonomy by engaging global partners from a position of confidence while advancing their national and continental interests rather than being drawn into geopolitical rivalries.

She concluded by calling on Africa and Europe to replace dependency with genuine partnership and competition with collaboration.

According to her, a relationship built on trust, innovation and shared responsibility would better position both continents to navigate current global uncertainties while contributing to a more peaceful, prosperous and inclusive international order.