Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, says discussions to improve relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom across different sectors, especially in the post Brexit era, is not only exciting but will make a difference for both countries.
Professor Osinbajo stated this when he received a UK delegation led by the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Ms Helen Grant on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.
The envoy is in Nigeria to discuss Brexit among other issues.
“I am really excited about the prospect of what the next few months and years hold for our two countries.
“I also share your optimism that this is probably the best opportunity for us to do a lot. And to do so in a manner that will make a great difference for our two countries,” the Vice President stated.
Noting that the Covid-19 pandemic era offers opportunity for Nigeria and the UK to adopt innovative ways of addressing challenges facing both countries, Professor Osinbajo said that ”education and capacity building in the judiciary sector, among others, are important areas of interest to Nigeria.”
Deepening conversations with countries
In her remarks, Ms. Grant said that she was in Nigeria as part of a deliberate effort by the UK government to deepen conversations with friendly countries across different sectors ahead of Brexit.
She said that, ”aside trade, both countries could work harder to strengthen ties in agriculture, health, technology, judiciary and other sectors, expressing her country’s interest in ensuring that Nigeria records improvements in the aforementioned areas.”
Stating the excitement that came with her appointment, Ms Grant, born to a Nigerian father, described her new assignment as Trade Envoy as ‘a dream job’ and promised to support the deepening of trade relations between both countries by connecting more British investors to do business in Nigeria.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and officials from the UK High Commission were present at the meeting.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
