UK And Nigeria Strengthen Long-Standing Partnership with New £1bn Development Agreements
The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its enduring partnership with Nigeria through the signing of new agreements worth over £1 billion, aimed at advancing the country’s development agenda across various critical sectors. The agreements, facilitated by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), will bolster cooperation in health, education, governance, and climate resilience, while also addressing humanitarian needs.
In a statement following the signing, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing Rowe, praised Nigeria’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning as a crucial partner in shaping the longstanding cooperation between the two nations. “I am passionate about the UK’s close relationship with Nigeria and working with the Government to advance the country’s development agenda,” Rowe said. She added, “The signing of these important agreements today builds on our support worth over £1 billion, delivering real improvements for people in health, education, governance, our work with women and girls, and helping where there is humanitarian need.”
For decades, the FCDO has been a pivotal force in supporting Nigeria’s national development, particularly in areas such as human development, conflict resolution in the Lake Chad Basin, and fostering economic transformation. The latest agreements reaffirm the UK’s commitment to Nigeria’s growth and stability, aligning with four core objectives: promoting sustainable economic development, delivering reliable investment, empowering women and girls, and offering life-saving support during crises.
Among the newly signed agreements is the Human Assistance and Resilience Programme, which, with a three-year budget of N324 billion (£150 million), will deliver humanitarian assistance in Nigeria’s conflict-ridden Northeast, building on the UK’s “Force for Good Agenda.”
The Nigeria Governance and Climate Change Programmefollows, with N84 billion (£83.8 million) earmarked to address governance and climate issues, particularly for Nigeria’s poorest and most vulnerable populations. The programme will focus on bolstering state government revenues, integrating climate policies, and enhancing election credibility.
Additionally, the £38 million Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING) initiative aims to reduce rural violence and foster climate resilience in Northern Nigeria, with the goal of promoting peace, security, and justice in the region.
Other initiatives include projects to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector and boost nutrition stockpiles, alongside a £70 million programme, Manufacture Africa, which will drive inclusive economic growth through job creation and technical assistance. These agreements solidify the UK’s long-term role in supporting Nigeria’s aspirations for a stable, resilient, and prosperous future.
