EU AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA AND ECOWAS VISITS UNIVERSITY OF JOS, EXPLORES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IN AGRICULTURE AND MINERAL RESOURCES

EU AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA AND ECOWAS VISITS UNIVERSITY OF JOS, EXPLORES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IN AGRICULTURE AND MINERAL RESOURCES

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), His Excellency Gautier Mignot, has paid a courtesy visit to the University of Jos as part of efforts to strengthen mutual partnership between the European Union and Nigerian universities.

The Ambassador was received at the University's Senate Chambers by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, alongside other Principal Officers, Deans, Directors and senior management staff of the University.

Speaking during the visit, his first to Plateau State, Ambassador Mignot said the European Union is developing a new framework of partnership with selected Nigerian Universities, with the University of Jos identified as one of the key institutions under consideration. According to him, the choice of Unijos is informed by its strategic location on the Jos Plateau, its rich agricultural potential, and the vast deposit of natural and mineral resources that abound in Plateau State.

He explained that the EU is interested in a partnership that goes beyond academic exchange to focus on practical development areas, particularly in agriculture, solid minerals, research and innovation, and sustainable development. He noted that such collaboration will involve deployment of EU resources, technical expertise and capacity-building programmes that will directly benefit staff, students and host communities.

Ambassador Mignot commended the management of the University of Jos for the remarkable progress the institution has recorded in recent years despite challenges. He said the University has remained a centre of academic excellence and peace, adding that the EU is willing to work with the University to achieve more in the areas of research, food security and youth empowerment.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, expressed profound appreciation to the European Union for considering the University of Jos among the beneficiaries of its intervention in Nigerian universities.

Prof. Ishaya stated that the University of Jos has a long history of international collaborations with European countries. He recalled that the French Embassy recently donated a state-of-the-art Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) to the University, which has boosted innovation, entrepreneurship and hands-on skills among students. He added that the University also maintains active partnerships with institutions in Germany, the United Kingdom and other European nations.

The Vice-Chancellor assured the EU delegation that the University is fully ready and open to any foreign partnership that will provide solutions to humanity's problems, especially in the areas of food production, climate change, mining and value addition to natural resources.

He stressed that Plateau State is blessed with fertile land for dry and rainy season farming and over 30 solid minerals, which makes the University of Jos a natural hub for research that can translate into economic development for Nigeria and Africa at large.

Contributing, the Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors and Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Professor Pwaveno Bamayi, thanked the EU Ambassador for finding the University worthy of the visit. He assured the delegation of the readiness of all faculties and directorates to cooperate fully to ensure the success of the EU's mission in the University.

Professor Bamayi noted that the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and other agriculture-related faculties have enormous research outputs that can align with EU priorities if supported.

The visit ended with the presentation of souvenirs to the Ambassador and his entourage, signing of the University's visitors' book, and group photographs with members of the University management.

Isaac Uzer

Information and Public Relations Division

29 September, 2026