Nigerians are not happy with €300 million grant the European Union (EU) is giving to the North East and North West in the name of development projects in Nigeria’s North-East and North-West. The members of the EU visited the Sultan of Sokoto in May 2025 to officially launch the programme in his palace.
The European Union (EU) has pledged €300 million for new development projects in Nigeria’s North-East and North-West regions, announced in May 2025, focusing on youth/women’s opportunities, digital economy, renewable energy, and combating violent extremism, as part of its Global Gateway strategy to foster economic growth and stability, complementing national plans like the Renewed Hope Agenda.
https://www.facebook.com/share/17VKPP6K6Y/?mibextid=wwXIfr
This was posted on their Facebook page on 6th May, 2025. However, there was wide criticism across board on the intention of the grant, with Nigerians seeing it as a Greek gift.
Many Nigerians see some of these grants as the reason why terrorism persist, as these monies coming in has made Civil Society Organisations and some NGOs to not tell the truth on what has been going on. In fact, there is wide belief that some of these monies end up in the hands of terror sponsors and not solving much problems.
The reason for the grants is vague, and not having any effect on the conflicts or the reasons marked out by the European Union. Even the people of these areas have complained about these grants not having any importance on their people.
