Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, welcomed His Excellency Gautier Mignot, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, for an engaging fireside chat on “The EU as a Trusted Partner for Nigeria and the World.” The session, held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, brought together faculty, alumni, students, policymakers, and industry leaders to reflect on the EU’s enduring partnership with Nigeria and explore pathways for deeper collaboration.
The event was moderated by Professor Franklin Ngwu, Director, LBS Public Sector Initiative and Professor of Strategic Management and Governance. In her opening remarks, Professor Olayinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School, emphasised the importance of creating platforms that bridge public and private sector priorities.
Professor Olayinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School
“At Lagos Business School, we see ourselves as a convening space where ideas, policy, and leadership converge to drive sustainable development. The European Union’s commitment to inclusive growth, education, and innovation resonates strongly with our vision to develop responsible leaders to inspire Africa’s growth,” she said.
Ambassador Mignot, in his keynote, spoke about the complex realities of today’s interconnected world, from climate change and disinformation to global inequality. He outlined the EU’s triple transition agenda, green, digital, and inclusive, as key to addressing shared challenges and fostering sustainable prosperity.
“Our partnership with Nigeria is rooted in transparency and mutual respect. Your progress is our progress,” the Ambassador said, reaffirming the EU’s role as a reliable partner in Africa, with significant investments in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and education.
He also highlighted initiatives such as the Global Gateway Investment Strategy, supporting projects like the OMI-EKO maritime transport system in Lagos and expanding Nigeria’s optic fibre networks. Additionally, he stressed the importance of gender inclusion, youth empowerment, and combating disinformation as transformative tools for development.
His Excellency Gautier Mignot, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS
The session featured a lively Q&A with attendees exploring Nigeria’s evolving role in global multilateralism, opportunities for youth mobility and academic exchange through initiatives like Erasmus+.
In a closing remark, Professor Uchenna Uzo, Director of Africa Retail Academy and Faculty Director, LBS, expressed gratitude to the EU delegation and reaffirmed LBS’s commitment to hosting thought leadership forums that bridge global and local perspectives:
“Today’s conversation reinforces the importance of partnerships built on trust, knowledge, and shared responsibility. Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, remains dedicated to fostering dialogue that shapes Africa’s sustainable future,” he noted.
L-R: Head, Advancement, LBS, Jacinta Anakua, Director of LBS Public Sector Initiative, Prof. Franklin Ngwu; European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot; Dean, Lagos Business School, Prof. Olayinka David-West and Director of Africa Retail Academy, LBS, Prof. Uchenna Uzo, Chief Marketing Officer, LBS, Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe, Executive Assistant to Dean/Strategic Partnerships, Alex Ererobe, during the Ambassador’s visit to Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University on Thursday. Photo: LBS
The event marked yet another milestone in Lagos Business School’s tradition of fostering cross-sectoral engagement that informs policy, empowers leaders, and strengthens international cooperation.
