The European Union has reaffirmed Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa-Europe relations, with EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, declaring the country “a priority for enhanced partnership” under the EU’s Global Gateway Investment Strategy.
Speaking at DICAN’s Diplomatic/Security International Conference in Abuja, Mignot praised Nigeria’s innovative “4D Diplomacy” (Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora) as both a strategic response to global instability and a model of values-based foreign policy.
“In the darkness, we need compasses, we need lighthouses. And this is what media and what diplomacy must be. Nigeria has managed to encapsulate this very elegantly within its 4D diplomacy,” Mignot told attendees.
The ambassador detailed multiple areas of EU-Nigeria cooperation, emphasizing their shared commitment to democratic governance and human rights. He highlighted concrete collaborative projects including Lagos’ OMIECO electric transport initiative and the ongoing installation of 90,000km of optic fibre cables to enhance digital connectivity.
The envoy also stressed joint efforts to combat misinformation through media literacy programs, noting these initiatives reflect the EU’s broader philosophy of international relations.
“Our diplomacy is not about rivalry… but shared prosperity and rule-based order,” Mignot stated, drawing a clear distinction between the EU’s cooperative approach and more adversarial diplomatic models.
While enthusiastically endorsing Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture, Mignot offered a balanced perspective on its implementation. He acknowledged the country’s considerable strengths – particularly its dynamic youthful population and demonstrated democratic resilience – while also recognizing practical challenges including service delivery gaps and the ongoing need for effective perception management.
The ambassador reiterated the EU’s sustained commitment to supporting Nigeria’s regional peacebuilding efforts and institutional modernization, specifically highlighting the indispensable role of media professionals as “critical allies” in protecting democratic values against the rising tide of disinformation.
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