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By Tracy Moses
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, has cautioned Nigeria against excessive reliance on humanitarian assistance in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking during a visit by the EU Delegation to Skyline University in Kano State, where he engaged with students from the institution and other universities in the state, Mignot emphasized that sustainable development should be driven by strategic investments, especially in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, education, health, and digital innovation.
According to the envoy, the EU, through its Global Gateway Strategy, is prioritizing the mobilization of private sector resources to support global development, particularly in Africa. “The European Union remains the world’s largest donor of official development aid, accounting for about 42 percent of global Official Development Assistance (ODA) through contributions from its member states,” he noted.
Mignot stressed that fostering meaningful cooperation between the EU, Nigeria, and the African continent is crucial for achieving long-term progress. He said such partnerships must be rooted in shared values, including respect for human rights, the rule of law, democratic governance, and civil liberties.
He also appealed to Nigerian youths to be proactive in countering disinformation and fake news. “Fact-checking is essential. It’s a civic responsibility to stop the spread of misinformation. It benefits not just you but your entire community,” he advised.
Highlighting the EU’s societal ideals, the Ambassador said, “We champion a model that respects cultural and religious diversity, promotes tolerance, inclusiveness, and civil rights. Unfortunately, this is often misrepresented by some of our geopolitical rivals, particularly in West Africa, through coordinated disinformation campaigns.”
He continued, “Our Union is built on values – human rights, the rule of law, democratic institutions, and the free movement of people, goods, and services. These are the foundations of our success, and we aim to promote these principles globally as a model for shared prosperity and innovation.”
While reaffirming the EU’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s development, Mignot clarified that the bloc does not seek a donor-recipient dynamic but rather a mutually beneficial partnership grounded in investment and shared goals.
“ODA alone cannot meet the SDG targets adopted in 2015. That’s why we focus on fostering investments and genuine partnerships rather than traditional aid,” he explained.
Welcoming the EU delegation, the Registrar of Skyline University, Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Abdullahi, described the visit as highly significant. He praised the EU for strengthening academic cooperation and fostering meaningful dialogue.
“The lecture series themed ‘The European Union: A Reliable Partner of Nigeria and the World’ is timely. It reflects the importance of collaboration and mutual understanding in a dynamic global environment,” he said.
Abdullahi added that such engagements encourage innovative thinking around global challenges and offer pathways toward peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.