EU Pledges €300M to Crush Terrorism in Nigeria 

The European Union is stepping up big time in Nigeria’s battle against violent extremism, announcing a hefty €300 million grant to help tackle terrorism at its roots — especially in the hard-hit North-East and North-West regions.

This major financial backing was revealed during a high-level workshop in Abuja, focused on reviewing and updating Nigeria’s current strategies on preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE). The workshop was held under the EU-funded STRIVE Global Programme and implemented by Hedayah, an international centre known for its work in counter-extremism.

Gaulter Mignot, the EU’s Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, reiterated Europe’s deep commitment to Nigeria’s security efforts, pointing out that both sides are key members of the Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF). According to him, the collaboration between nations and counter-extremism organisations like Hedayah is proof that fighting terrorism requires joint action and shared vision.

He painted a grim picture of the toll extremism has taken on the Lake Chad Basin over the past 15 years — from widespread displacement to the heartbreaking loss of lives. And while he acknowledged Nigeria’s ongoing efforts, Mignot emphasized that more investment, both strategic and financial, is still needed.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, also declared open a pre-review workshop to revise the 2017 National Action Plan against extremism. Speaking through his aide, Idayat Hassan, Ribadu stressed that extremist groups are becoming smarter, tech-savvy, and more dangerous — making it urgent for Nigeria to evolve too.

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He called for stronger focus on boosting community resilience, promoting digital literacy, improving rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-extremists, and enhancing communication efforts. Ribadu insisted that Nigeria’s fight must be not just reactive, but proactive and globally aligned.

The bottom line? With fresh EU funding and a renewed national strategy, Nigeria is gearing up to take the fight against extremism to the next level.