UK Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Seeks Stronger Trade Ties

The United Kingdom has applauded President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing them as bold steps that were creating new opportunities for growth and stronger trade partnerships.

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, stated this during a courtesy visit to the First Lady, Senator RemiTinubu, at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

According to him, the UK government viewed Nigeria’s ongoing reforms as “difficult but necessary” measures that were already reshaping the economic landscape. He noted that the new policies have opened doors for enhanced trade relations between the two countries.

“We see a lot of positivity in Nigeria’s economy, particularly new opportunities being created by the reforms undertaken by President Tinubu,” Montgomery said.

According to a statement by the media aide of the First Lady, Busola Kukoyi, the British Envoy commended the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the First Lady’s flagship programme, for its impact in education, health, and humanitarian services, noting that it has become a model for empowering women in critical sectors.

The High Commissioner also highlighted the UK’s interest in Nigeria’s ongoing constitution amendment process by the National Assembly, particularly the call for special seats for women in the Parliament, which he said would help strengthen inclusive governance.

In her response, Senator Remi Tinubu assured her guests that the government and the RHI would continue to align efforts with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu to address challenges facing Nigerians.

“I believe we can help each other if we really show concern,” she said, adding that RHI was focused on empowering women in the informal sector whose lives are being directly touched by the programme.

On women’s political representation, the First Lady agreed with her visitors that the number of women in the National Assembly has dwindled.

She pledged to support ongoing efforts to reverse the trend, stressing the need for citizens to elect the right representatives who can deliver on their mandate.

The British Deputy High Commissioner, Gill Lever, was also part of the visiting delegation.