Analysis on EU-Nigeria Policies Finalised and Continued in September Relevant to the Nigerian Diaspora and EU Stakeholders

EU–Nigeria Projects Compendium 2025

The EU Delegation to Nigeria released the Projects Compendium 2025, which provides a road map of EU cooperation in Nigeria. It focuses on the green and digital economy, governance, migration, peace, human rights, and human development, under the Global Gateway framework.

• Effect on the EU:

  • Positive: Enhances predictability and coordination of EU funding; strengthens long-term strategies in infrastructure, agriculture, governance, and digitalisation.

  • Negative: Raises expectations. If Nigeria struggles with disbursement or capacity, project delays may damage the EU’s reputation.

• Effect on Nigeria:

  • Positive: Helps Nigeria align domestic plans with EU funds and request more technical support.

  • Negative: Could face resistance if perceived as too prescriptive or conditional.

Climate and Energy Initiatives (Africa Climate Summit, Global Gateway, Climate Financing)

The EU, through the Africa Climate Summit, is accelerating the green transition by financing renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and food security. It also supports a continental electricity market and private investments via a risk mitigation tools.

• Effect on the EU:

  • Positive: Strengthens climate diplomacy, energy collaboration, and tech transfer.

  • Negative: If implementation favors EU contractors without local involvement, it risks being viewed as neocolonialism.

• Effect on Nigeria:

  • Positive: Gains finance, renewable jobs, and improved energy infrastructure.

  • Negative: Domestic opposition could arise from land use or industry protection.

EU Humanitarian Aid for Food Crisis and Displacement

The EU continues its humanitarian aid to Nigeria to save lives, prevent human suffering, and protect dignity in crises caused by conflict and natural disasters.

• Effect on the EU:

  • Positive: Builds trust and soft power; shows EU solidarity during crises.

  • Negative: Risk of dependency narratives if aid isn’t paired with development strategies.

• Effect on Nigeria:

  • Positive: Provides temporary relief and improves political capital with EU allies.

  • Negative: Sovereignty tensions may arise if Nigeria feels overshadowed by NGOs or aid conditions.

CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) & EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation)

From 2025, EU trade rules are reshaping Nigeria–EU relations.

• CBAM (Regulation 2023/956): Importers of cement, steel, aluminum must account for carbon emissions to prevent carbon leakage.

• EUDR (Regulation 2023/1115): Bans imports of coffee, beef, palm oil, etc. produced on deforested/degraded land post–Dec 31, 2020. Importers must prove deforestation-free supply chains.

• Effect on the EU:

  • Positive: Reinforces leadership in climate standards; promotes sustainable trade.

  • Negative: Could be criticized as protectionist or extraterritorial, straining trade relations.

• Effect on Nigeria:

  • Positive: If compliant, Nigeria gains preferential EU access and long-term resilience.

  • Negative: High compliance costs could cut exports and push Nigeria to alternative markets.

🔗 Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
🔗 EU Deforestation Regulation

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EU–Germany Agricultural Value Chain and Food Security Support (2025)

The EU and Germany are scaling up agricultural programmes worth €18.3 million, focusing on value chains, generational renewal, and food security. The initiative is linked to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and aims to stabilize farmer incomes while ensuring high-quality food supply.

• Effect on the EU:

  • Positive: Positions EU as a food security partner; improves trade and rural development.

  • Negative: Funding may appear too small, leading to perceptions of insufficient aid or excessive standards.

• Effect on Nigeria:

  • Positive: Nigerian agricultural actors become more export-ready, boosting trade with the EU.

  • Negative: Strict standards and certification may trigger political backlash about adapting to EU interests.

Migration Cooperation and Nigeria’s 2025 National Migration Policy

The National Migration Policy (2025) aims to improve migration governance, diaspora engagement, and labor mobility. It aligns with EU–Nigeria cooperation frameworks, covering legal migration, skills partnerships, and return/readmission policies.

• Effect on the EU:

  • Positive: Provides structured dialogue on migration and legal routes; stabilizes cooperation.

  • Negative: Risk of being accused of coercion if migration is linked to other EU priorities.

• Effect on Nigeria:

  • Positive: Gains technical support in migration management and diaspora engagement.

  • Negative: Domestic politics may resist EU pressure on returns and readmission, causing friction.

🔗 Nigeria Validates 2025 National Migration Polic