Ahead of the Schuman Security and Defence Forum aimed at forging stronger security partnerships globally, the EU, Nigeria, and ECOWAS jointly assessed the peace and security challenges West Africa currently faces. The ‘Road to Schuman’ preparatory event organized in close collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Wednesday, 15 May 2024, reviewed the EU-Nigeria partnership on peace and security and confirmed the strong willingness of both parties to continue to work together. Titled “Reducing Vulnerabilities through Partnerships”, the event allowed a rich discussion of the manifold challenges to peace in Nigeria and the West Africa region, and reflected on opportunities for strengthening existing partnerships.

Discussing how to strengthen security and defence partnerships between the EU, Nigeria and ECOWAS

The EU Ambassador, Ms Samuela Isopi, along with the Director of the National Counter Terrorism Centre at the ONSA, Major General Adamu Laka, opened the Forum with a first session focussed on Nigeria’s defence and security perspectives. For the second session in the afternoon, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, joined the EU Ambassador to discuss regional security matters. The event was open to stakeholders from the peace, security and defence community, including government, military, law enforcement agencies, diplomatic community, international organizations and think tanks.

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Nigeria has made progress in the area of peace, security and defence, but continues to nevertheless face threats to its security. Following the recent developments in the Sahel, the region has become sub-Saharan Africa’s epicentre of terrorism, threatening the continent and the globe. 

The EU and Nigeria face common security threats

During the event, the participants recognised that the EU and Nigeria face common threats, and hence need to work together in a coordinated manner to defeat terrorism and other threats associated. They also discussed the growing challenges posed by violent extremism and hybrid threats and the need to sustain the momentum against maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea. The Forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on national and regional security policies and defence strategies and effective partnerships.

“We face threats and challenges which have become increasingly multidimensional and diverse. The EU is therefore seeking to further develop and strengthen mutually beneficial security and defence partnerships, including with Nigeria and ECOWAS,” EU Ambassador, Samuela Isopi, said in her opening remarks.

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The Director of NCTC, Maj-Gen. Laka underlined the complex nature of crises, noting that conflicts that develop locally, could quickly become global, with more far-reaching consequences. “Nigeria as a key player in regional security seeks effective partnerships,” he said.

Stressing the need for ECOWAS and the EU to work together to defeat terrorism, the ECOWAS PAPS Commissioner, Amb Musah, said: “If we allow terrorism to persist in one country in the region, it is going to be a staging base not only against Africa but also against Europe. It is important to work with partners who understand the challenges the region is going through, that’s why we work with the EU.”

Looking forward to the 2024 Schuman Security and Defense Forum

The “Road to Schuman” event held in Abuja is part of a series of events to discuss partners’ security concerns, listen to their views and identify future cooperation, in preparation for the Schuman Security and Defence Forum in Brussels.

The second edition of the Schuman Security and Defence Forum (“Schuman Forum”) on 28-29 May 2024 will bring together high-level representatives of the European Union, EU Member States and partner countries, international and regional organisations, as well as leading think tanks and academia