A meeting between the High Commissioner, H.E. Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons took place on 8 February 2022. It was presided over by the Chair of the Committee, Tom Tugendhat MP OBE.
The meeting provided an opportunity to engage with regards to the Committee’s investigation on the Implementation of the UK Integrated Review in Nigeria.
Accompanying the High Commissioner were: Mr Jim Ovia, the Chairman of Zenith Bank, Hon. Sani Sha’aban, Chairman and CEO of Casablanca I.C. Limited, Dr Victory Jaja, First Secretary, Political Affairs and Mr Adejare Mofolasayo, First Secretary, Administration.
In line with the views of the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee that Nigeria – UK Relations should be a more purposeful and sustained dialogue between partners, and there were clearly areas where both countries could do more to deepen the bilateral relations, it was necessary for the Committee to engage the Nigeria High Commission with a view to deepen understanding on further ways to harness the benefits of Nigeria – UK relations.
The High Commissioner availed Nigeria’s positions on issues of security, the economy and opportunities for bilateral cooperation and also reiterated a report by the House of Lords’ Select Committee on International Relations and Defence on bilateral cooperation in the light of the identified challenges and opportunities as well as the Communiqué the Strategic Partnership Dialogue between Nigeria and UK which was held from 31 January to 2 February 2022.
Further analysis on the need for enhanced bilateral economic cooperation were presented by Mr Jim Ovia and Hon. Sani Sha’aban. The High Commissioner stressed that the major strategy to rekindle our bilateral relations should rest on increased engagements and a focus on tangible investments in Nigeria. The Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee thanked the High Commissioner and requested to use the input garnered from the meeting as part of the Committee’s findings.
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Tom Tugendhat MP OBE
