Precious Nwonu, Enugu
Nigeria and the European Union have renewed discussions on migration cooperation, with both sides working towards concluding a readmission agreement that has been under negotiation since 2016.
The issue was discussed on Monday in New York during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters.
A statement issued by the minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, said Brunner emphasised the need to conclude the EU-Nigeria Readmission Agreement.
According to the statement, the commissioner said finalising the agreement would provide a framework for broader cooperation between Nigeria and the EU on migration.
The proposed agreement was also discussed extensively during the eighth Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue held in March 2026.
Responding, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria wanted any migration partnership with the EU to include support for the reintegration of Nigerians returning to the country.
She also called for assistance with infrastructure development and the expansion of legal routes for Nigerians seeking employment and other opportunities abroad.
The minister stressed the importance of creating structured and lawful mobility opportunities for Nigerians, particularly the country’s large young population.
She also maintained that migration cooperation should take Nigeria’s development priorities into consideration.
The EU delegation said Nigeria’s concerns had been reflected in the proposed framework for cooperation, which is expected to be expanded into a broader Migration and Security Cooperation Contract.
The proposed framework would cover several areas, including talent partnerships, legal migration pathways, reintegration of returnees and border management.
It would also involve cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, to strengthen border management and migration-related operations.
Nigeria and the EU are also considering an arrangement for information exchange with Europol as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s capacity to tackle transnational organised crime.
Brunner said the EU was interested in developing legal migration channels through talent partnerships.
He noted that such arrangements could help address labour and skills shortages in Europe while providing Nigerian professionals with legitimate opportunities abroad.
The discussions also touched on concerns about irregular migration, with the EU commissioner indicating that progress in tackling irregular migration could help create more opportunities for legal migration.
The two sides are expected to continue discussions, with Brunner indicating an interest in visiting Abuja in November 2026. The date of the proposed visit is yet to be finalised.
The latest engagement forms part of efforts by Nigeria and the EU to develop a broader migration partnership covering irregular migration, return and reintegration, legal mobility, border security and opportunities for Nigerian professionals and young people.
