The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom (UK) during a high-level visit to the UK from March 3 to 5. The visit aimed to enhance strategic cooperation across key sectors, including trade, investment, technology, media, and academia.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Kimiebi Ebienfa, acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tuggar emphasized that the visit reflects Nigeria’s dedication to engaging global partners to drive economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development.
“This visit marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, reinforcing his administration’s economic diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and regional security cooperation agenda,” Tuggar stated.
He highlighted Nigeria’s goal to consolidate its longstanding relationship with the UK, explore new opportunities for economic growth, and reaffirm its commitment to regional peace and stability.
“As Nigeria continues to engage proactively on the global stage, this visit underscores the country’s dedication to ensuring that diplomatic efforts translate into tangible benefits for national security, economic development, and the well-being of all Nigerians,” Tuggar added.
During the visit, the minister participated in several high-profile engagements, including:
- A discussion at Chatham House on Nigeria’s evolving foreign policy and global aspirations.
- A focus on technology and trade at the House of Commons, emphasizing Nigeria’s economic diversification, investment climate, and digital transformation.
- Meetings with key media stakeholders at the BBC House in London to outline Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities and global positioning.
- Discussions with JP Morgan and British International Investment (BII) to explore financial and economic cooperation, attract capital flows, and promote investment opportunities.
- Talks with senior UK government officials to foster cooperation on security, intelligence-sharing, and counter-extremism efforts, particularly in addressing instability in West Africa.
Tuggar also emphasized the importance of expanding business and investment opportunities to support Nigeria’s economic growth and job creation, as well as strengthening collaboration in education, research, and technology between Nigerian and UK academic institutions.
The visit underscores Nigeria’s proactive approach to leveraging international partnerships to address critical national and regional challenges while driving sustainable development.
