Osinbajo welcomes UK's minister for Africa Vicky Ford to Nigeria as she visits for the first time

VICE president Professor Yemi Osinbajo played host to the UK's minister for Africa Vicky Ford in Abuja today as she started the Nigerian leg of her West African tour aimed at boosting trading opportunities across the sub-region.

Appointed in September last year, Ms Ford whose official portfolio is the minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, is visiting Nigeria for her first time. According to the British high commission in Nigeria, her visit will take forward efforts by both countries to build on the UK-Nigeria partnership and strengthen strong security, anti-corruption, and economic ties.

Today, Professor Osinbajo received Ms Ford pledging to continue to work on the bilateral relationship enjoyed by both countries. Also, Ms Ford  has met with the governors of Kaduna, Jigawa and Kano states to discuss their states’ partnership with the UK and how to support them to address insecurity issues.

Ms Ford said: "The UK  is supporting humanitarian assistance and regional stabilisation in the Lake Chad Basin, where terrorist groups have caused immense suffering to communities. Good to speak to our partners in the region about how we work together to build stability and  peace."

Her visit follows the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue in London earlier this month, at which the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation across a wide range of areas. These included military cooperation, counter-terrorism, civilian policing, protecting human rights and recognising the important role of women in achieving sustainable peace.

Before she leaves, Ms Fiord is expected to announce millions of pounds of new UK investment including in support of small and medium-sized enterprises. She will also sign an memorandum of understanding related to anti-corruption, which will further strengthen the UK-Nigeria partnership in this area

Also, the minister is will meet with civil society, government, the media and political leaders and explore a range of topics from electoral reform, to climate change following COP26 and human rights. Ms Ford will also promote efforts to educate girls, empower women and end gender-based violence and address humanitarian needs in northeast Nigeria.