The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu has said that the recent State Visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom marks a strategic reset in Nigeria-UK relations.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed this thought in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Dr Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
The statement is against the backdrop of the positive takeaways from the historic state visit by the president alongside the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, as guests of the British Monarchy on March 18 and 19.
There was also a high-level governmental meeting with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at Downing Street, the seat of the British government.
According to her, full complements of British hospitality were on display in honour of President Tinubu and the First Lady, while the royal family hosted them at Windsor Castle.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that the high-level diplomatic recognition signified a strategic reset in bilateral ties, focusing on economic, trade, and security cooperation.
“The visit, hosted by King Charles III, resulted in key deals, including a £746 million port partnership, and strengthened ties across trade, security, and technology.
“Discussions also revolved around strengthening security cooperation and emphasised joint efforts against terrorism and instability, digital border management, and addressing both nations’ shared interests in regional security.
“As well as implementing the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) to move beyond historical ties toward a modern economic alliance,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
She highlighted investment opportunities of the visit to cut across mining, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, fintech, amongst other sectors, saying such bolstered Nigeria’s image and strengthened its role as a key African partner for the UK.
This, according to her, was the history and culture of Nigeria that took the global stage during the visit.
“At the Tate Modern, where an exhibition on the theme: ‘Nigeria’s Modernism,’ was staged, the creativity and resilience of Nigerians were on full display.
“At the event, President Tinubu celebrated the industry of Nigerians who are contributing significantly to the growth and development of the creative sector of the country”.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu quoted the president saying the exhibition is a testament to revolution: it tells the story of a generation of Nigerian giants, who in the middle of the 20th century refused to be despised but chose to define themselves.
Also, he praised the creative ingenuity of Nigerians, who have created a timeless and enduring body of work through the fusion of the ancient and the modern.
For his part, the UK Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, who organised the reception for the Nigerian President and First Lady, emphasised the strong strategic partnership and cooperation between the UK and Nigeria.
She further described the president’s visit as the fifth by a Nigerian leader, adding that this marked the first in 37 years to be honoured with a state visit by the British Crown.