EU, ECOWAS Engage University of Port Harcourt Students in Landmark Youth Development Dialogue.
By Raymond Enoch.
Students of the University of Port Harcourt received a rare opportunity to engage directly with high-level officials from the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Headed by Gautier Mignot during a campus dialogue aimed at deepening youth involvement in regional development, academic mobility, and sustainable innovation.
The engagement, which held at the university’s auditorium on Thursday, drew over 200 students across various faculties and departments. Organized as part of a broader EU-ECOWAS outreach initiative, the session featured interactive discussions, scholarship briefings, panel debates, and project idea pitches. It focused on themes ranging from climate change and digital transformation to youth entrepreneurship and regional integration.
Leading the EU delegation was Ambassador Gautier Mignot, who underscored the importance of investing in Africa’s youth through education and collaboration. She highlighted ongoing opportunities under Erasmus+ and intra-African mobility programmes, including the CREATE-Green Africa and GENES II initiatives, which offer scholarships for African students to study across partner universities within the EU and West Africa. The ambassador encouraged students, especially those from underserved communities, to explore and apply for these openings.
ECOWAS was represented by Commissioner Fatou Sow Sarr, who addressed the students on the organisation’s vision for inclusive development and the centrality of youth in driving change. “The future of West Africa lies not just in Abuja or Brussels, but in campuses like this,” she said. “Our regional goals—whether on climate, security, trade, or technology—depend on the ideas, talents, and leadership of young people.”
During a student-led session, several undergraduates presented innovative project ideas aligned with EU and ECOWAS priorities. One environmental science student proposed the use of drones to map flood-prone zones in Rivers State, while another suggested a campus-based recycling initiative that could be replicated across tertiary institutions in the region. Both ideas were met with interest from EU cooperation officers, with discussions already underway on potential pilot support.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Georgewill, expressed appreciation for the visit and called it a significant moment for the institution’s academic community. “This is not just a ceremonial visit—this is a working engagement,” he said. “Our students are being exposed to real opportunities, and our institution is deepening ties that can lead to long-term academic and developmental partnerships.”
In response to questions from students about accessibility, transparency, and inclusion in the available programmes, the EU delegation announced plans to publish simplified guides and hold dedicated information sessions in coming months. ECOWAS also pledged to establish a liaison desk at the university to assist with scholarship and project application processes.
Notably, both institutions announced a commitment to support the creation of a Student Innovation Hub at UNIPORT, focused on digital agriculture, sustainable energy, climate adaptation, and social innovation. The hub is expected to serve as a space for students to co-develop practical solutions to community challenges, with mentorship and technical support from both ECOWAS and the EU.
The event concluded with a symbolic signing of a cooperation pledge between the university and the visiting institutions, signaling a new phase of collaboration that goes beyond policy dialogue to project implementation and capacity building.
For the students in attendance, the engagement was more than just informative—it was empowering. “Most times, these opportunities feel far away,” said Promise Nduka, a final-year student of engineering. “But today, they came to our doorstep. Now, we know how to access them, and we’ve been challenged to be part of something bigger than ourselves.”
