UK ready to strengthen bilateral ties with Nigeria — David Lammy

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu welcomed UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Lagos on Monday, marking Lammy’s first official visit to Africa in his current role.

The meeting, held at the State House in Marina, highlights the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, with Lagos being a key historical and economic link.

During the visit, Lammy highlighted the deep-rooted socio-cultural and economic connections between Lagos and the UK, pointing to the large Nigerian diaspora in the UK as a testament to the enduring ties.

“Lagos, with its dynamic and vibrant economy, was my natural first stop in Africa,” Lammy remarked. “Our longstanding relationship is reinforced by shared family ties, trade, and financial cooperation that mutually benefit both our countries.”

The Foreign Secretary praised Lagos’ advancements in transportation infrastructure, specifically the Red Line rail project, noting that UK companies have played a significant role in its development.

He expressed optimism about expanding this cooperation, especially in sectors like clean energy, where two British companies are considering investments to help Lagos transition to renewable energy sources and combat climate change.

Governor Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the UK’s renewed focus on fostering economic partnerships with Africa, describing it as complementary to Lagos’ vision for sustainable development.

He highlighted Lagos’ commitment to fostering a skilled, youthful workforce, with a focus on knowledge-based training programs designed to meet the demands of a modern economy.

“Our aim is to make Lagos a hub for human capital development on the continent, where businesses can find competent professionals across various sectors,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Sanwo-Olu also identified waste management as a potential area for collaboration, citing Lagos’ daily production of over 10,000 metric tons of waste as an opportunity for companies specializing in waste-to-energy conversion.

As the meeting concluded, Sanwo-Olu encouraged Lammy to view Lagos as a secure investment destination with abundant opportunities.

Reacting to the Governor’s appeal, Lammy affirmed the UK’s openness to enhancing trade with Nigeria and emphasized the mutual benefits of strengthened partnerships, stating, “Lagos epitomizes our historical friendship, and we see a win-win scenario for both our economies.”