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The United Kingdom and Nigeria have strengthened their economic ties with fresh export agreements worth about N1.4 trillion, as both countries pledged to elevate their partnership to a new level.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer disclosed this on Thursday during a bilateral meeting with President Bola Tinubu at 10 Downing Street, marking the second day of Tinubu’s historic state visit to the UK.
Starmer said the agreements signal a renewed commitment to expanding trade and cooperation between both nations.
“Today presents an opportunity to take our relationship to another level with the export agreements we’ve reached, and it shows we can go even further,” he said.
In his remarks, Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms and called for stronger trade and economic partnerships between countries.
“We need more trade agreements and deeper economic relationships. Nigeria is currently undergoing very strong economic reforms,” the President stated.
He also linked the security challenges in West Africa to climate-related conflicts, noting that Nigeria continues to grapple with terrorism.
“The largest country in West Africa is facing challenges driven by terrorism linked to climate change conflict,” Tinubu said.
The Nigerian leader stressed that both countries are navigating global economic pressures.
“The entire world is facing challenges. Nigeria is not immune, and Britain is not immune,” he added.
Tinubu explained that discussions centred on improving the economic welfare of citizens and enhancing livelihoods amid global economic uncertainty.
He further expressed optimism that the talks would accelerate cooperation, friendship, and collaboration between both nations.
Describing the visit as historic, Starmer noted it was the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the UK in 37 years.
He emphasised the long-standing ties between both countries, particularly people-to-people relations, while reaffirming the UK’s commitment to deepening cooperation in areas such as the economy, defence, and security.
Recent data show Nigeria became the UK’s largest export market in Africa in January 2026, reflecting growing bilateral trade.
At a state banquet hosted earlier at Windsor Castle, King Charles III revealed that Nigerian visitors spent £178 million in the UK in 2024, while 251,000 Britons travelled to Nigeria, spending a similar amount.
The ongoing state visit, which began on March 18, has already produced several agreements covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
One of the key outcomes is a £746 million financing deal involving UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Ministry of Finance to rehabilitate the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa and Tin Can Island Port.
The visit follows a state banquet where King Charles III acknowledged the complex historical ties between both nations, while commending Nigeria’s progress and the contributions of its diaspora in the UK.
Tinubu’s visit, the first by a Nigerian leader since Ibrahim Babangida was hosted in 1989 by Queen Elizabeth II, is expected to conclude on Thursday.
