EU Launches €900M Support To Tackle Biting Health Issues In Nigeria.
By Ferdinand Olise
The European Union, EU, has launched a major EU financial package of over €900 million (728₦ billion) to drive education, energy, transport programmes, and others across Nigeria.
The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, announced this together with Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, together with the Team Europe, in Abuja.
This major package forms a central part of the EU-Nigeria cooperation to advance Nigeria’s country’s green, resilient, digital, and inclusive transition under the federal government priorities, and the Global Gateway which is the the EU’s positive offer to deliver sustainable, and trusted connections with partner countries.
The Commissioner Urpilainen, expressed her delighted in visiting Nigeria to further strengthen the partnership between the EU and Nigeria.
“I look forward to launching a package of new actions, as part of the Global Gateway strategy and EU support to Government priorities. Building on our long-standing cooperation, and in the best spirit of shared responsibility, commitment, and accountability.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, appreciated the EU’s investment in the future of Nigeria.
“The EU will continue to invest in our common future, and priorities of security, democracy, and prosperity for all. The package of loans and grant I am signing, and launching here will benefit the Nigerian businesses, farmers, youths, and the society a as whole.
“Today marks yet another milestone of the EU-Nigeria development cooperation. The EU -Nigeria relations is one of the most vibrant development partnerships in terms of volume, thematic interventions, modalities and geographical spread in deployment of resources.
“The EU-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue is happening at the take-off of the current Administration in Nigeria and presents opportunities for proper articulation and consolidation of priorities in our Partnership”, he said.
Also the European Investment Bank, EIB, Vice-President, Ambroise Fayolle, announced two financial agreements in crucial sectors for Nigeria, and the region in health and entrepreneurship.
“The partnership with EMZOR pharmaceutical Industries is a significant step towards accelerating treatments against malaria and healthcare access across the region while reducing the dependence on the importation of essential medicines.
“We are proud to accompany the development of a pioneer firm committed to strengthening the antimalarial supply chain, and production. Supporting entrepreneurship is also at the heart of our action in Africa.
“With a new credit facility with Access Bank, our objective is to improve access to finance for female entrepreneurs, and to stimulate job creation while supporting sustainable business practices aligned with the green economy priorities.
According to her, the EIB was the first multilateral development bank to adopt the 2X criteria for gender finance, assuring that, developed jointly between the EU and Nigeria, the package will drive new programmes through the Global Gateway.
She listed how the funds are granted for by the EU.
“Climate smart agriculture (€29 million), Sustainable energy (€37 million), Access to health services (€45 million)”, she said
“Education: support to youth, and education development in the North West region (€5.4 million) which will would be launched to contribute to policy improvement of the teaching profession, and the capacity building of teachers.
In addition to these areas of support, the package will also contribute to building access in the Nigerian social protection safety net (€46 million).
Support to border management, and reintegration of returnees (€28.4 million), support to the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration of Boko Haram combatants in the North East region (€20 million), and support to improving the Criminal Justice System, access to justice, and the fight against corruption (€30 million).
The EU-Nigeria cooperation programmes are to support, and enhance the basic needs of humanity for economic development.
