Sultan receives EU Ambassador, Mignot, in Abuja
By KEMI KASUMU
The ambassador also disclosed that EU-funded social protection projects in the North-West were making good progress.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, received the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Nigeria and ECOWAS, His Excellency Gautier Mignot, at his Abuja residence.
The DEFENDER reports that the meeting provided an opportunity for discussions on EU-supported development initiatives, social protection, peacebuilding and security-related interventions in Nigeria.
The Sultan, who was accompanied by the Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmad Bello, and the Sa’in Kilgori, Dr. Muhammad Jabbi Kilgori, welcomed Ambassador Mignot and members of his delegation.
During the meeting, the Sultan informed the EU envoy that he had, a day earlier, received the supervision mission of the EU-funded Action Against Hunger (ACF) project team in Sokoto State.
He said the team briefed him on the progress of the project and assured them of his continued support and cooperation to ensure the success of the initiative, particularly in assisting vulnerable people and communities.
Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Mignot said he was at the Sultan’s residence to introduce two newly appointed officers of the EU Mission in Nigeria — Mr. Pedro Sariva, Deputy Head of Mission in charge of Political, Press and Information, and Ms. Lucia, Political Adviser.
The ambassador also disclosed that EU-funded social protection projects in the North-West were making good progress.
According to him, another EU-supported project was being developed to provide security support through non-kinetic interventions.
Mignot consequently sought the Sultan’s continued support and requested that he extend to the newly appointed officers the warm reception and cooperation traditionally accorded to EU representatives.
Responding, the Sultan encouraged the newly introduced officers to feel free to call on him or visit whenever necessary.
He described EU ambassadors as among his close associates, dependable friends and allies of Nigeria.
The Sultan reaffirmed his readiness to continue supporting initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of Nigerians, promoting peace, strengthening social protection and contributing to national development.
