- Nigeria and the European Union have a €731 million partnership covering 2021–2027 to fund the reintegration of former Boko Haram fighters and peacebuilding efforts
- The programmes focus on stabilising Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states affected by Boko Haram
- The initiative is part of a broader multi-sector cooperation including energy, agriculture, and digitalisation
Nigeria’s partnership with the European Union is set to channel €731 million in grants between 2021 and 2027 toward strengthening peace, security, and development, with a key focus on reintegrating former members of Boko Haram.
According to a report obtained by the PUNCH, the funding forms part of a broader cooperation framework spanning agriculture, clean energy, digitalisation, transport and trade, migration, health, and education.
A major component of the initiative targets governance, peace, and security in Nigeria’s North-East, particularly in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, regions heavily affected by insurgency since 2009.
The EU-backed programmes aim to stabilise these areas, where millions have been displaced due to prolonged conflict.
The report highlights that the intervention goes beyond reintegration, incorporating conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and improved access to justice for vulnerable populations.
It also seeks to address long-standing tensions, including clashes between farmers and herders, while promoting peaceful coexistence in border communities.
The report stated,
“The EU collaborates with Nigeria to promote stability and security by supporting democratic governance, inclusive participation of young people, women, and people with disabilities, and fostering peace-building efforts.
“Key actions include: promoting conflict resolution and prevention; supporting peaceful and resilient borderlands; encouraging community-led initiatives for conflict prevention and stability; and supporting conflict mitigation and community peace initiatives in north-west Nigeria.
“Others are strengthening relations between farmers and herders in Adamawa and Taraba states; promoting the reintegration of former combatants, including Boko Haram associates, in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.”
Although the exact signing date of the agreement was not disclosed, the programmes fall under the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy and its Multiannual Indicative Programme for 2021–2027, which outlines funding priorities.
At the start of the programme period in 2021, Nigeria was under the leadership of former President Muhammadu Buhari, while current President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
Since 2009, Boko Haram’s insurgency has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions across the North-East.
In response, the Nigerian government, with support from international partners, has combined military operations with socio-economic interventions to curb the crisis and rebuild affected communities.
Despite these efforts, insecurity remains widespread across the country, driven by insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, farmer–herder conflicts, separatist violence, and organised crime.
Public data indicates that Nigeria has spent tens of trillions of naira on defence, policing, and security institutions since 2015, alongside significant state-level security votes.
However, experts continue to link the persistence of insecurity to structural challenges such as poverty, unemployment, corruption, weak institutions, and the politicisation of ethnic and religious divisions, factors that leave communities vulnerable to violence and criminal networks.