The UK’s Minister for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, has commenced a 3-day visit to Nigeria to strengthen the partnership between the UK and Nigeria.Ndidiamaka Eze, the Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer at the UK High Commission in Nigeria, confirmed this in a statement released on Sunday.
Badenoch’s visit follows the previous visit of the former Foreign Secretary to Nigeria in August 2023 and last week’s UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Talks.
The purpose of her visit is to advance the efforts of both countries in enhancing the UK-Nigeria trade relationship and identifying new investment prospects.
During her stay in Nigeria, Badenoch, accompanied by the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Helen Grant, is scheduled to hold meetings with officials from the Federal Government of Nigeria, State Governors, and representatives from British and Nigerian businesses and investors.
According to the statement, these meetings will focus on exploring existing and potential investment and trade opportunities across various sectors, including education, infrastructure, and energy projects, to generate employment opportunities.
Badenoch’s agenda also includes efforts to reinforce the UK-Nigeria partnership, eliminate barriers to trade and investment, foster business growth between both nations and facilitate easier access to the City of London’s services for international business, particularly Nigeria.
In his remarks regarding Badenoch’s visit, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, emphasized Nigeria’s significance as one of the UK’s key partners in Africa.
He expressed the UK’s commitment to assisting Nigeria in unlocking new investment opportunities and promoting more UK and international investment through the City of London, ultimately leading to job creation in both countries.
Dr. Montgomery also praised recent reforms by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Central Bank, stating that these initiatives instil confidence among international investors and position Nigeria for growth and development.
