…Sign £746Mn Deal On Nigeria’s Seaport Infrastructure
The United Kingdom (UK) and Nigeria have signed three agreements on migration, border security, and trade during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK this week.
The UK High Commission in Nigeria in a statement on Friday, indicated that the pacts comprised two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and a Statement of Intent, aimed at strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and promoting safe migration and merchandize trade relations.
According to the commission, the agreements were signed by UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, UK Trade Envoy, Florence Eshalomi, and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, signfiying a significant step in the UN-Nigeria bilateral relations.
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The top functionaries of the UK and Nigerian governments, who spoke on the deals, described them as desirable frameworks for strengthening migration systems, boosting trade, and enhancing border security cooperation, adding that they also reflect a shared commitment to tackling fraud and improving administrative processes.
Commenting on the agreements, the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: “Nigeria is a vital partner for the UK. These agreements reflect a shared commitment to managing migration fairly and firmly, while opening up trade and investment opportunities that will benefit both our economies.”
Also, the country’s Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “Anyone who abuses our systems, breaks our laws, or tries to cheat their way into Britain will be stopped and removed… Nigeria is a key partner in this work.”
In a similar tone, UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, clarified: “These agreements mark a significant step forward in the UK-Nigeria partnership.”
In his remarks on the partnership, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said: “This partnership is a testament to our shared determination to build a migration system that is safe, orderly, and mutually beneficial.”
The top government functionaries expressed optimism that the agreements would strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors while reinforcing trust between both nations.
The UK High Commission further stated that the agreements introduced some mechanisms to improve migration processes, trade access, and joint security operations between the two countries.
For instance, a business visa Statement of Intent is expected to remove trade barriers and create pathways for businesses in both countries to access each other’s markets while Nigeria will recognise UK Letters as valid identification for the first time, simplifying administrative processes.
In addition, the Commission noted that annual returns to Nigeria had nearly doubled to 1,150, reflecting stronger migration enforcement collaboration, adding that a new fraud fusion cell will bring together law enforcement, financial institutions, and technology firms to tackle scams, including romance fraud and cryptocurrency schemes.
The statement added that existing joint operations between the UK’s National Crime Agency and the Nigerian Police had resulted in over 400 arrests and £7.5 million seized.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government had on Wednesday confirmed the signing of £746 million financing agreement with the UK to modernize Nigeria’s seaport infrastructure.
This is even as the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) sealed another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday in London with the UK-based Asset Green Limited to develop a $500 million large-scale diary project in the country
