British Ambassador calls for stronger economic ties between UK and Nigeria

26 Apr 2017
Financial Nigeria

Summary

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria said the UK’s bilateral trade relationship with Nigeria is now worth £3.8 billion per annum.

L-R: HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos; Paul Arkwright, British High Commisssioner in Nigeria; Prince Adedapo Adelegan, President and Chairman of Council, Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce; and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chairman of the occasion during the NBCC 40th Anniversary lecture, which held in Lagos recently

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, has called for stronger economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom to support the social and economic development of both countries, according to a statement released today.

Arkwright made the call while delivering a lecture titled ‘Nigeria – British Relations: The Next 100 Years’ during the 40th anniversary of the Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) in Lagos last Friday.

The British envoy said he was confident that even with the UK exiting the European Union, her economic ties with Nigeria would remain strong.

“The ties that bind the UK and Nigeria, that are cultural, linguistic, historical and business will grow stronger and the UK looks forward to becoming the top non-oil trading partner with Nigeria very soon,” Arkwright said.

According to Arkwright, the UK’s bilateral trade relationship with Nigeria is now worth £3.8 billion per annum. The British diplomat said there are several British companies interested in sectors in Nigeria (apart from oil and gas), such as power (including solar), infrastructure, agriculture, education, the digital economy, and financial technology.

“We will remain steadfast in our resolve to partner with Nigeria to support social and economic development of both countries,” Arkwright said.

In his remarks, Prince Dapo Adelegan, the NBCC’s President and Chairman of Council, pledged to remain a key driver of initiatives aimed at increasing bilateral trade and investment between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Adelegan said the NBCC is focused on such initiatives as actively re-engineering and strengthening its partnerships, attracting top economic players as premium members, and pulling in new members in other categories.

The NBCC president commended Lagos State for its support over the past 40 years. He said a special day themed “Lagos Day” would be designated for discussing the economic milestones and business development opportunities in Lagos State during the forthcoming NBCC 40th Anniversary Trade Mission to London between May 22nd and 26th.


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