By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a £746 million export finance deal backing the redevelopment of Apapa and Tin Can Island port complexes.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated this during a bilateral meeting with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu at 10 Downing Street, marking the second day of the Nigerian leader’s historic state visit to the UK.
“Today is the opportunity to take that to another level with the agreements that we’ve been able to reach on exports, and I think that shows we can go even further than we’ve already gone,” Starmer stated.
Tinubu said Nigeria is currently undergoing “very strong reform of the economy” and linked the terrorism challenges facing West Africa to climate change conflict.
“We need more trade agreements and economic relationships that we build between nations. Nigeria is currently going through a very strong reform of the economy,” Tinubu who is in Britain along with his wife Oluremi and top government officials said.
Tinubu described Nigeria as facing significant challenges, stating, “The largest country in West Africa, and on the continent, is challenged by terrorism coming from the conflict of climate change.”
He emphasised that both countries face global economic challenges, noting, “Currently, the entire world is challenged. Nigeria is not immune. Britain is not immune.”
He said the discussions focused on the “economic welfare of the people and how we can work together to improve livelihood” amid economic volatility.
The President affirmed that Thursday’s bilateral discussions would address what Britain can do to “accelerate the friendship, partnership and collaboration” between both nations.
On his part, Starmer described the visit as historic, noting it was the first inward state visit for 37 years by a Nigerian leader.
“The long and shared history between our countries is obvious and much valued, as is the people-to-people contact and engagement that enriches lives here in the United Kingdom,” he said.
He noted that both countries already collaborate on economy, defence, and security matters but expressed determination to deepen the partnership.
“Today is the opportunity to take that to another level with the agreements that we’ve been able to reach on exports,” he stated.
