By: Ganiyu Olayinka
The long-pending Nigeria-EU re-admission agreement, first initiated in 2016, took centre stage in talks between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, on Monday in New York.
According to a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Foreign Affairs Minister, the meeting took place on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters.
Brunner underscored the need to finalise the agreement, which had already been extensively discussed at the 8th Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue in March 2026, telling the minister that its completion would lay the groundwork for wider cooperation between Nigeria and the EU on migration issues.
“Commissioner Brunner stressed the importance of concluding the Re-Admission Agreement, which was initiated in 2016 and extensively discussed during the 8th Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue in March 2026. He noted that its finalisation would provide a basis for broader cooperation between Nigeria and the EU on migration,” the statement said.
In her response, Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed Nigeria’s interest in ensuring any migration cooperation includes reintegration support for returnees, assistance with infrastructure development, and wider legal channels for Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad. The statement said she “emphasised the importance of creating structured and lawful mobility opportunities, particularly for Nigeria’s large and youthful population, while ensuring that migration cooperation does not undermine the country’s development interests.”
The EU delegation said these concerns had already been factored into the proposed framework, and disclosed plans for a broader Migration and Security Cooperation Contract. According to the statement, the proposed framework would span strategic dialogue on local talent partnerships, mobility and legal pathways, reintegration of returnees, border management, and support from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). Cooperation would also extend to exploring a working arrangement for information-sharing with Europol, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to tackle transnational organised crime.
Brunner also pointed to the EU’s interest in expanding legal migration pathways through talent partnerships, arguing such arrangements would benefit both sides by addressing skills shortages in Europe while opening opportunities for Nigerian professionals and helping ease concerns around brain drain.
The two officials also discussed stepping up cooperation to curb irregular migration, with Brunner noting that progress on this front could pave the way for greater legal migration opportunities. He said he looked forward to continuing the discussions with the minister during a proposed visit to Abuja in November 2026, with an exact date still to be agreed by both sides.
The engagement forms part of Nigeria’s broader push for a balanced migration partnership with the EU, one that tackles irregular migration and returns while expanding legal mobility, reintegration support, security cooperation, and opportunities for Nigerian youth.
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