Nigeria, Britain strengthen bilateral relations as Shettima meets with Montgomery

The Vice-President, Kashim Shettima on Wednesday met with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, as Nigeria and Britain strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Montgomery after the meeting addressed State House correspondents with the British High Commissioner revealing that his discussion with Shettima was a huge success.

He further said that the meeting was fruitful with a concentration on how to ramp up bilateral relations between Nigeria and Britain, particularly in the area of boosting economic engagements.

“British ministers are responding positively to the policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration including removal of fuel subsidy and unification of foreign exchange rates,” Montgomery said.

The British High Commissioner said he discussed with the Vice-President on the measures to cushion the effect of the President’s first policies like the removal of payment on fuel subsidy.

“I was in London last week and I was briefing my ministers and I was also talking to British business(es) in the finance, banking and investment sectors and they are responding very positively to these first decisions,” he said.

“We know that there are tough times with inflation and unemployment. The Vice President and I also touched on some of the measures that might be possible to cushion some of these economic pressures.”

According to Montgomery, Britain has confidence that the reforms of the new administration led by Tinubu will help place Nigeria on a greater path.

“The big issue is that these reforms help out Nigeria on a higher, greater path, will attract more investments and the United Kingdom and the City of London see Nigeria as a big opportunity going forward,” he stated.

Shettima is presently holding forth for President Tinubu who on Tuesday left for Paris, France to attend the Financial Pact Summit (FPS).

The President will participate in the two-day Summit on June 22 and 23 that looks at opportunities to restore fiscal space to countries that face difficult short-term financial challenges, especially the most indebted countries.