The European Union (EU) is to provide Nigeria with specialised military equipment, including counter-improvised explosive device technology, anti-drone systems, night vision capabilities and protective gear, under a €20 million defence support package aimed at strengthening the country’s fight against terrorism.
The equipment will be supplied under the European Peace Facility (EPF), marking the EU’s first-ever bilateral defence support package for Nigeria.
The details emerged during strategic discussions between the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, and a delegation of the European External Action Service (EEAS), led by Claire Gaudin, on Friday.
Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, disclosed in a statement that the meeting focused on finalising arrangements for the delivery and implementation of the €20 million assistance package, which was agreed upon in October.
Musa said the intervention would significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, particularly in ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin.
He, however, stressed the need for Nigeria to move beyond dependence on foreign military supplies by developing its indigenous defence manufacturing capacity.
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The minister urged the EU to build on the momentum generated by the recently concluded Africa Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) to support the establishment of local defence production lines in Nigeria.
He said developing domestic defence industries would help the country achieve greater self-sufficiency and strengthen its ability to respond to evolving security threats.
Musa also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to identifying and dismantling terrorist financing networks across the world, irrespective of where such activities originate or operate.
He explained that the current phase of the European assistance was restricted to non-lethal military support, covering equipment, technical training and maintenance services.
The minister expressed optimism that subsequent phases of the partnership would address additional needs, particularly military medical support and advanced surveillance capabilities.
Gaudin said the equipment to be procured through the €20 million facility was jointly identified with the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria after extensive consultations between both sides.
She noted that Nigeria had joined more than 20 African countries among the 30 beneficiaries of the European Peace Facility worldwide.
According to her, the intervention would complement broader regional security and stabilisation efforts, particularly operations under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which is coordinating military efforts against insurgency in the Lake Chad region.
Established by the 27 EU member states in March 2021 for the 2021–2027 financial cycle, the European Peace Facility is an off-budget financial instrument designed to strengthen the capacity of partner countries’ armed forces.
The facility supports conflict prevention, peacebuilding and international security through military assistance and other security-related interventions.
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