The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has moved to deepen international cooperation by engaging in a high-level strategic meeting with the European Union (EU) Delegation in Abuja.

The courtesy visit, led by NOSDRA’s Director General, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, aimed to establish a robust partnership with the EU to strengthen the agency’s institutional capacity and deliver more effective environmental protection.

Key areas of collaboration discussed included developing a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and remediation framework for artisanal refining sites, deploying advanced oil spill response equipment, and enhancing human capacity through structured training and retraining programmes.

“Our main objective is to seek strategic support from the EU to address illegal bunkering and artisanal refining—issues that have devastated communities in oil-producing areas. With stronger international commitment, we can bring relief to affected people and advance environmental justice,” Engr. Woke said.

He stressed that effective global partnerships could not only draw international attention to the environmental degradation in the Niger Delta but also drive impactful policy reforms and secure resources for long-term remediation and sustainable development.

Responding, the EU Acting Head of Delegation, Mr. Ruben Alba, commended NOSDRA’s initiative and announced plans to set up a technical working group to review the agency’s mandate and identify potential areas for EU support.

“We appreciate NOSDRA’s commitment to environmental protection. As a next step, we will form a dedicated team to assess where our partnership can deliver the greatest impact,” he said.

The meeting also featured a detailed presentation from NOSDRA staff, highlighting the scale of oil spill challenges, the agency’s core responsibilities, and the urgent need for technical, policy, and resource support to strengthen environmental monitoring, emergency response, and regulatory enforcement.

Both parties concluded the meeting with a shared commitment to sustained dialogue and collaboration—marking an important step toward building an internationally supported framework for environmental protection in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions.