Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have signed finance agreements worth over 900 million euro for various development projects during the EU-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue in Abuja.

Developed jointly between the EU and Nigeria, the first signed agreement would drive new programmes through Global Gateway as follows: smart agriculture; sustainable energy; access to health services; support to youth and education development in the North-West region.

In addition to these areas of support, the second signed agreement will also contribute to building access in the Nigerian social protection safety net; support to border management and reintegration of returnees; support to the disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of Boko Haram combatants in the North-East region; and support to improving the criminal justice system, access to justice and the fight against corruption.

The third signed finance agreement was a loan issued to two Nigerian private companies and banks by the European Investment Bank. 

Other expected signings are financing agreement for the completion of the Lagos Inland waterway project.

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, JUTTA URPILAINEN, said EU would continue to invest in priorities of security, democracy, and prosperity for all. 

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, ABUBAKAR BAGUDU, stated that the EU-Nigeria relations is one of the most vibrant development partnerships in terms of volume, thematic interventions, and geographical spread in deployment of resources.