By Adedapo Adesanya
The European Union (EU) is seeking to strengthen its partnership with Nigeria through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) limited to reduce its dependency on Russia for energy.
Russia provides the continent with about 40 per cent of its energy needs and due to its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, sanctions on the country, members of the EU are divided over whether to get oil from Russia or not.
On Monday, ambassadors from the bloc paid a courtesy call on the management of the NNPC in Abuja and the issue of energy supply was discussed, according to a statement by the NNPC spokesperson, Mr Garba Deen Muhammad.
The EU is looking to replace Russian oil with African oil because of its high amount of untapped gas reserves.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the EU Ambassador in Nigeria, Mrs Samuela Isopi, said as a result of the current geopolitical situation in Europe, the continent was interested in strengthening its cooperation with Nigeria, particularly in the area of a possible increase in the supplies of liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
“Nigeria is the fourth gas supplier to Europe. At least 40 per cent of the Nigerian LNG is currently exported to Europe.
“We are not only major clients for Nigeria. We are also major partners in the Oil and Gas sector because some of the companies that are working with you are from Europe. So we share the same interest and same objectives,” she added.
On his part, the General Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mr Mele Kyari, assured the European delegation that the company would continue to deepen its historical relationship with EU companies in Nigeria in order to add more value to its business, particularly towards increasing gas supply to the global market and enhancing domestic gas utilisation.
Other diplomats from the European delegation on the visit were: Ambassador of Portugal, Mr Luis Barros; Ambassador of Spain, Mr Juan Sell; Ambassador of Italy, Mr Stefano De Leo and Deputy Head of Mission (France), Mr Olivier Chatelais.
