By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Foreign Affairs has called for a more strategic, equitable, and resilient partnership between Africa and Europe.
Speaking at the 2026 EurAfrican Forum in Lisbon, she said the growing global challenges of armed conflict, terrorism, climate change, food insecurity, and disruptions to supply chains demand stronger cooperation built on mutual respect.
Bianca Ojukwu stressed that Africa should no longer be viewed only through the prism of humanitarian crises or resource extraction but as a strategic partner with human capital, natural resources, and innovation potential.
The statement lists four priorities: economic resilience through industrialization and technology, collaboration on peace and security, fair climate action with financing and tech transfer, and reform of global institutions including a permanent seat for Africa on the UN Security Council.
It notes that Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is anchored on economic diplomacy and mutually beneficial partnerships.
