A Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, (NIIA), Dr. Philippa Inyang has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom as a historic milestone, noting its potential to boost Nigeria-UK ties in different ways.
She said this in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, where she discussed the significance of President Tinubu’s visit to the UK.
“First of all, I’d like to say that this state visit is actually the highest form of diplomatic engagement between two states. So it’s a signal that both states, both the United Kingdom and Nigeria, actually deeply respect their relationship with each other. This is actually indeed a pivotal moment in the history of the bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom”, she noted.
Dr. Inyang noted that beyond economic and political gains, the visit provides Nigeria an opportunity to strengthen ties through the Commonwealth of Nations.
“Apart from the economic benefits and the political benefits, there are other areas in which Nigeria could also leverage its relationship with the United Kingdom. For example, King Charles III is actually the head of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth of Nations is made up of about 52 countries with 2.7 billion people, and Nigeria is also a major player in the Commonwealth of Nations. And the Commonwealth of Nations has various programs that are run. That could also be an opportunity for Nigeria to leverage its relationship with the United Kingdom to engage in these programs”, she said.
She added that the visit provides the avenue to engage the Nigerian diaspora in the UK, mobilising their skills, networks, and long-term investments.
“The state visit is also another avenue for Nigeria to actually engage with its diaspora. We have a large diaspora in the United Kingdom made up of businessmen and intellectuals, professionals. So it’s an opportunity for Nigeria or the delegation to engage with the diaspora and see how we can mobilize not just in terms of remittances, but also in terms of skill, in terms of networks and sustained investment.”
Dr. Inyang explained that beyond the pageantry, the visit carries significant strategic weight, while also noting that just days before the state visit, Nigerian and UK ministers met to discuss proposals on trade and investment.
“Of course. In statecraft, you have the political symbolism and then you also have the policy perspective. If you recall, two days before this state visit, there was actually a negotiation or a meeting of ministers where representatives from Nigeria and the United Kingdom actually sat to discuss their enhanced proposal on investment and trade.
“And this meeting was actually very strategic because it laid the foundation for the discussion of the translation of the political symbolism into the national trade and investment policy. So beyond the pageantry as it seems, there are going to be discussions. Discussions with the strategic business partners, discussions with investment houses, there are going to be discussions with relevant or strategic government officials on various fronts, and I’m sure and hopeful that in these discussions, Nigeria will be deliberate, to put forth proposals for reshaping its relationships with the United Kingdom”, she explained.
The Senior Research Fellow further said that Nigeria should focus on security, development programs, and trade and investment opportunities to ensure the visit yields tangible benefits.
“I believe that Nigeria should be putting forward discussions and proposals on security cooperation. Nigeria should also discuss development programs and trade and investment opportunities.”
Favour Odima
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