Nigerian high commissioner to the UK tells House of Commons he wants a deeper relationship

NIGERIA'S high commissioner to the UK Ambassador Sarafa Ishola has briefed the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee in Abuja's plans to deepen and  enhance Nigeria-UK relations.

Addressing the gathering presided over by the chair of the committee, Tom Tugendhat MP, Ambassador Ishola used the meeting to shed light the committee’s investigation on the implementation of the UK Integrated Review in Nigeria. He was accompanied by Jim Ovia, the chairman of Zenith Bank; Hon Sani Sha’aban, chairman of Casablanca IC Limited; Dr Victory Jaja, the first secretary, political affairs at the high commission and Adejare Mofolasayo, the first secretary, administration.

Mr Tugendhat said that Nigeria-UK relations should involve a more purposeful and sustained dialogue between partners. He added that there were clearly areas where both countries could do more to deepen the bilateral relations and it was necessary for his committee to engage the Nigeria high commission with a view to deepening the understanding on further ways to harness the benefits of Nigeria-UK relations.

At the meeting, Ambassador Ishola availed Nigeria’s positions on issues of security, the economy and opportunities for bilateral cooperation. He also reiterated a report by the House of Lords’ Select Committee on international relations and defence on bilateral cooperation in the light of the identified challenges and opportunities as well as the communiqué on the Strategic Partnership Dialogue between Nigeria and UK which was held from 31 January to 2 February 2022.

Ambassador Ishola stressed that the major strategy to rekindle bilateral relations should rest on increased engagements and a focus on tangible investments in Nigeria. Mr Tugendhat thanked the high commissioner and requested to use the input garnered from the meeting as part of the committee’s findings.