Nigeria heart of EU–Africa relations — EU

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, said Nigeria remained central to the EU’s engagement with Africa, describing the country as “a priority for enhanced partnership” under the Global Gateway Investment Strategy. He described Nigeria’s evolving foreign policy — anchored on democracy, development, demography and national optimism — as a strategic […]

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, said Nigeria remained central to the EU’s engagement with Africa, describing the country as “a priority for enhanced partnership” under the Global Gateway Investment Strategy.

He described Nigeria’s evolving foreign policy — anchored on democracy, development, demography and national optimism — as a strategic response to global instability and disinformation.

He made the remarks during his keynote address at the Diplomatic/Security International Conference held at the ministry of foreign affairs premises in Abuja. 

The conference was organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) with participants drawn from diplomatic missions, security institutions and the media.

The conference brought together diplomats, media professionals, and security experts, reinforcing the synergy between diplomacy, intelligence, and communication in confronting modern threats to global stability.

Mignot said Nigeria’s “4D diplomacy” reflects a refined balance of values, policy goals and demographic dynamics, calling it “a mix of assets and challenges” that positions the country for global relevance.

Nigeria’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Strategy — Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora — is a strategic framework introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and championed by Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

The ambassador stressed that, “In the darkness, we need compasses, we need lighthouses. And this is what media and what diplomacy must be.

“It is even more important to explain clearly what your diplomacy stands for—and this is what Nigeria has managed to encapsulate very elegantly within its 4D diplomacy,” the ambassador said.

He explained that the four pillars of democracy, development, demography and euphoria offer both strengths and hurdles, especially in terms of delivering services and shaping foreign perception.

Turning to the EU’s foreign relations model, Mignot said Europe’s diplomacy focuses on peaceful cooperation, respect for sovereignty, and advancing the common good.

“Our diplomacy is not about rivalry or threat. It is about negotiation, shared prosperity and promoting a rule-based global order.”

He outlined the European Union’s current strategic framework, including a triple transition: green, digital and inclusive. According to him, these transitions aim to ensure that innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence and technology, benefits all societies.

“The digital transition should serve all human beings—not just the few owners of big tech companies,” he said.

He disclosed that projects such as OMIECO—Lagos’ Future Electric Maritime Transport System—and the rollout of 90,000 kilometres of optic fibre are already in motion.

He also noted ongoing interventions in renewable energy, agriculture, health and digital infrastructure.

Mignot reaffirmed the EU’s support for democratic governance, gender equality and human rights, saying these commitments are aligned with Nigeria’s role in regional peacebuilding and institutional reform.

On the challenge of disinformation, he warned that “rogue players” are leveraging false narratives to destabilise governments and societies.

He said the EU has intensified efforts to counter misinformation through fact-checking, media literacy and civil society partnerships.

“Winning the battle of information is critical to preserving democratic values. And you, diplomatic correspondents and journalists, have a vital role to play.”

He assured Nigerian stakeholders that the EU would remain a dependable partner and uphold its commitment to shared goals and values.

 

Disinformation major threat to diplomacy – Tuggar 

While addressing the gathering, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, warned that “strategic misperceptions, deepfakes, and hostile narratives” pose increasing threats to diplomatic engagement globally. 

He called for stronger collaboration between diplomats, intelligence agencies, and the media to counter these challenges.

Tuggar said Nigeria’s response to rising geopolitical instability has been encapsulated in the country’s 4Ds Foreign Policy Strategy — Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.

“Our embrace of democratic norms is a signal of stability and credibility in international engagements,” he said, adding that diplomacy must drive economic growth through trade and partnerships.

He described Nigeria’s youthful population and its global diaspora as strategic assets, noting efforts to harness both for international policy, investment, and peacebuilding.

“Nigeria stands ready to work with all who share these ideals,” the minister said.

 

Disinformation poses threat to Nigeria’s security – IGP 

Also speaking, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kabiru Abdullahi, who represented the Inspector General of Police, warned that disinformation remains a major threat to Nigeria’s internal security.

“We are solely concerned with internal security. And internal security has a very devastating nature of relationship with information and disinformation.”

He noted that false reports from outside the country could negatively affect domestic peace, stressing the role of accurate journalism in national stability. “Credible journalism is very important at this crucial stage in our life,” he added.

DCP Abdullahi highlighted regional challenges facing the country, citing military activities in the North, crime in the South, and insurgency in the Northeast.

“What is happening thousands of miles away can have a devastating impact. The importance of credible information is very, very crucial,” he said.