EU Reaffirms Respect for Nigeria’s Sovereignty Amid US Criticism
The European Union has reiterated its respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty, emphasizing its commitment to partnership and collaboration in peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and human rights protection.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, made the statement on Tuesday in Lagos during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), clarifying the bloc’s position following recent comments by US President Donald Trump.
“Our position is one of solidarity with Nigeria supporting victims of violence, authorities working to protect citizens, and the Nigerian people who desire peaceful coexistence beyond ethnic and religious divides,” Mignot said.
He stressed that the EU respects Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to religious neutrality and is ready to strengthen cooperation in peace, security, and defence, engaging with all stakeholders including civil society, traditional, and religious leaders.
Mignot highlighted the EU’s ongoing initiatives in deradicalisation, demobilisation, and reintegration of ex-members of non-state armed groups in the North-East. He further assured that the EU’s support is non-discriminatory, protecting all communities, especially minorities, and upholding freedom of religion and belief.
Acknowledging challenges in human rights and religious freedom, Mignot noted that Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework provides a foundation for fundamental freedoms. “It is up to Nigerian authorities and society to uphold and strengthen this environment of peaceful coexistence,” he added.
The ambassador emphasized that EU-Nigeria cooperation is steady and guided by shared interests in a stable, prosperous, and democratic Nigeria not influenced by the positions of other nations. A peace, security, and defence dialogue between Nigeria and the EU is expected soon to deepen strategic cooperation.
Mignot concluded, “Our guiding principle is to help Nigeria reinforce stability and prosperity, and the country’s future lies firmly in the hands of Nigerians themselves.”
His remarks follow US President Donald Trump’s warnings of potential actions against Nigeria over alleged anti-Christian violence, including proposals to cut assistance and labeling Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.”
