Nordic countries seek collaboration with Nigeria to counter violent extremism

Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden have sought to strengthen partnerships with Nigeria across sectors.

Foreign ministers from the Nordic countries spoke in a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday after their joint visit — the first of its kind outside Europe.

The delegation comprised Tobias Billström, Swedish minister for foreign affairs; Elina Valtonen, Finnish minister for foreign affairs; Thórdís Gylfadóttir, foreign affairs minister of Iceland; Bjørg Sandkjær, Norweigian state secretary for international development; and Eva Barløse, Danish undersecretary for foreign policy.

Billström said areas of interest include global and regional security, trade and investment, human rights, democracy, and climate change.

“The Nordic countries have a long tradition of taking part in international trade and we believe in forging strong economic ties as a means of long-term development,” the Swedish minister said.

“This joint visit to Nigeria is of particular importance to us. Nigeria is not only one of our largest trading partners in Africa but also a steadfast ally in upholding international laws and addressing global challenges including climate change and countering the spread of violent extremists in West Africa.”

The Swedish minister expressed concern over how world powers, notably Russia and China, deploy disinformation to drive certain narratives.

“We are noticing this most recently in regards to the ongoing Russian illegal aggression in Ukraine and this is something which we take very seriously,” he said.

“However, this disinformation can come in very different aspects in some cases and we would like to find the ability to form partnerships and collaborate with countries like Nigeria who might also face this threat just as we do with our populations.

“This is a serious thing because from a political point of view, disinformation on this kind of massive scale is definitely something new and this calls for new tactics and new thoughts and ideas, and partnerships are important in this regard.”

Billström said meetings were held with the Nigerian government, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and civil society actors on how to advance regional and global security and other areas of interest.

The Finnish minister said the country is also dealing with disinformation actors who sow discord in Nigeria from Finland.

TRADE AND INVESTMENTS, RENEWABLE ENERGY

Valtonen added that the need to partner regions is mutual, adding that the European country has expertise in digitilisation, energy, and circular economy.

Gylfadóttir noted that Nigeria is grappling with the issue of disinformation threatening Iceland, adding that conversations with the Nigerian government have focused on how to strengthen multilateral institutions and improve peace and security.

“In a world where trust is wearing thin between regions, strengthening these ties is important in this period,” the Norwegian minister said.

Sandkjær said the Nordic country is interested in investing in renewable energy, especially in terms of technology, and creating a conducive environment for investments to thrive.

According to Barløse, the partnerships were built on meetings of the Nordic-African foreign ministers in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Danish minister said Denmark will launch a new Africa strategy for a reformed international architecture, while looking to build a stronger voice for the continent.