President Bola Tinubu has called on the government of the United Kingdom to deepen its partnership with Nigeria and Africa by investing more across sectors.
Tinubu made the call yesterday, when he received the United Kingdom’s Secretary of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, James Cleverly, in his office.
Calling on the UK to commit more to win-win development partnerships for Nigeria and Africa, the Nigerian leader recalled decades of deep symbiotic connection and economic ties between the continent and the UK, adding that the UK government must work with Nigeria and the rest of Africa to create a competitive, technologically advanced economy that will cater for the needs of all citizens.
He said: “I am happy to know that the United Kingdom is ready to work with us in Nigeria and Africa. The United Kingdom must do more for the continent. We have not developed a competitive economy.”
While addressing the pressing issue of energy transition and opportunity for economic growth in Africa and Nigeria, Tinubu charged the Foreign Secretary on imperatives of the West and UK, in particular, in mobilising investment to pipe gas from Nigeria to Europe.
He said: “The Western economic programme should be able to help Nigeria pipe our gas to Europe, since gas is acceptable as alternative clean energy. You must help us with the finance and facilitate the investment we require.”
On democracy, peace and stability in West Africa, Tinubu noted that security would remain a challenge as long as there are unstable governments in the sub-region.
He used the opportunity of the visit to decry the situation in Niger, the Sahel region and Horn of Africa where terrorists are finding comfort, asking the government of UK to support Nigeria to secure West Africa.
In his remarks, Cleverly congratulated the President on his election victory and the steps he had taken to reform the economy.
He saluted Tinubu for taking bold and decisive actions on fuel subsidy removal and on multiple foreign exchange markets, which he said will bring development to the country, in spite of current pains.
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