The European Union has lauded Nigeria as one of the foremost beneficiaries of its education mobility and cooperation scheme.
According to The PUNCH, the EU highlighted its successful Erasmus scholarship program, which has extended its benefits to over 2,000 Nigerians in the past year.
The EU Head of International Partnership, Jutta Urpilainen, shared this commendable news during the official launch of the Global Gateway Initiative in Abuja.
The GGI, as elucidated by Urpilainen, is a well-crafted initiative designed to bolster connectivity, foster sustainable development, and fortify economic ties between the EU and its partner countries, Nigeria being one of them.
She further explained that under the Global Gateway Initiative, the EU has pledged its unwavering support to Nigeria for the enhancement of infrastructure connectivity, encompassing vital sectors such as transportation, energy, and digital networks.
Additionally, the EU is committed to assisting Nigeria in fostering agriculture, stimulating economic growth, and bolstering the healthcare and education sectors.
She said, “We are living in an increasingly fragmented world. The war that Russia started against Ukraine last year, the military takeover in Niger in July, and the escalation in the Israel-Palestine conflict, are just stark reminders of that.”
Speaking further, she noted that the gateway strategy is needed ‘to build resilient connections in the world through strategic partnerships to jointly address the challenges of our times from fighting climate change to improving health systems.
“Together, we intend to mobilise 300 billion Euros in investments by the year 2027, half of them for Africa. For Africa, it is 150 billion Euros by the year 2027. When it comes to Nigeria, Nigeria features prominently in the Global Gateway investment package.”
She added, “Last year, we launched a digital economic package for Nigeria. With EU and European Investment Banks, investments worth 820 million Euros is a lot of money. We are already supporting the rollout of digital IDs nationwide and mobile network expansion with MTN in Lagos and other states.
“We are also about to launch the construction of a line between Katsina and Daura twin lines, and we are proposing to reinforce the Nigeria-Benin interconnection of the framework of the West African power pole
“Education is the most transformative investment one can make, and I am very glad to launch the empowerment in North Western Nigeria Project. I think this project is a tangible sign of our cooperation with the Government to promote quality basic education in the northern regions.”
She stated further, “Nigeria is also a major beneficiary of the student mobility and higher education cooperation project under Erasmus+. I was looking at the figures, last year, over 2,020 students from Nigeria were granted scholarships for studying in the EU.
“Global Gateway reinforces the EU-Nigeria partnership. It brings opportunities to all. We want to continue working together with you to take our partnership to a higher level of shared prosperity. We will do that together with the Government, Member States, Civil Society Organizations, as well as with the business community.”
