NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
2025 Hajj: NAHCON inspects tour operators’ feeding arrangements in Makkah
Foreign

2025 Hajj: NAHCON inspects tour operators’ feeding arrangements in Makkah

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By Abdulwahab Deji

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has intensified its efforts for the success of the 2025 Hajj by conducting a catering simulation exercise at the Rawaf Mina office in Makkah.

This is contained in a statement by Ahmad Musa, Head, Public Affairs, NAHCON made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makkah.

The exercise was conducted to evaluate the quality, timeliness and standard of catering services arranged for the Nigerian Pilgrims under the Private Tour Operator quota.

The Commission’s Makkah Deputy Coordinator, Mr Alidu Shutti, led the delegation during the exercise.

Rawaf Mina, a Saudi-based company is responsible for provision of services to Nigerian Private Tour Operators’ pilgrims at the sacred sites of Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah during the Hajj rites.

Shutti emphasised that the quality and quantity of meals in terms of taste, portion, and nutritional value must match what would be served to the Pilgrims during the Hajj.

“Timely delivery and consistency in quality, quantity are non-negotiable,” he stated, noting that the Commission’s goal is to elevate the 2025 Hajj experience to one of the best in recent time.

In response, Rawaf Mina CEO, Mr Zuhaer Sadayu, assured NAHCON officials that a dedicated food service consultant has been appointed to oversee all stages of meal preparation and delivery.

He pledged that feedback from the inspection would be meticulously addressed and incorporated into the final service provision plans in order to ensure Pilgrims receive full value for their money.

Also present at the event was NAHCON’s Saudi Liaison Officer, Ustaz Abubakar Lamin, who expressed gratitude to the Rawaf Mina team for facilitating the meals-tasting session and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to enhancing Pilgrims’ welfare across all aspects of the Hajj exercise.

This function forms part of NAHCON’s broader mission to ensure efficient and effective service delivery during the days of tashriq outing.

The Hajj Commission reaffirms that the welfare of Nigerian Pilgrims remained top priority in its operational mandate for the 2025 Hajj.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

German residents back weekly limit on working hours, survey suggests
Foreign

German residents back weekly limit on working hours, survey suggests

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German residents narrowly support shifting to a weekly limit on working hours, instead of a daily cap, according to a survey released on Monday.

The study, conducted by pollsters YouGov for dpa, found that 38 per cent of respondents would support the policy, while 20 per cent opposed it and 37 per cent are neutral.

The proposal, included in the new German government’s coalition agreement, would replace the existing daily cap of eight hours with a weekly limit, aiming to allow greater flexibility in scheduling working hours.

Under the proposed change, employees could work longer hours on fewer days – for example, four 10-hour days instead of five eight-hour days.

Among supporters of the policy, 82 per cent said the model offers more flexibility, such as enabling longer weekends.

About 44 per cent also see benefits for employers no longer bound by the eight-hour daily cap.

Critics fear reduced productivity and worker fatigue.

Two-thirds of opponents say productivity would drop after eight hours and 61 per cent worry extended shifts would strain employees.

When asked to choose between working four 10-hour days or five 8-hour days for the same pay, 37 per cent preferred the four-day week, while 28 per cent stuck with the current traditional model.

More than half of the opponents argued that they cannot stay productive beyond eight hours and around 40 per cent expressed concerns over having less time for family and hobbies.(dpa/NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

NAHCON chairman lauds Madinah team’s feat on smooth Hajj operation
Foreign

NAHCON chairman lauds Madinah team’s feat on smooth Hajj operation

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By Deji Abdulwahab

Prof. Abdullahi Saleh, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has commended the outstanding efforts of the Madinah team in receiving Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj.

The NAHCON boss said this in a statement issued by Hajiya Fatima Usara, the commission’s Assistant Director, Information and Publication, in Madinah on Sunday.

He praised the dedication, discipline, and tireless commitment of the Madinah team, describing their round-the-clock efforts in the service of pilgrims as a sacrifice for the success of the pilgrimage.

“As the first point of contact for the pilgrims, the Madinah team has gone above and beyond, sacrificing sleep and comfort to ensure that the pilgrims are warmly received, well-fed, and properly guided.

“Their performance has been truly commendable,” he said.

The NAHCON boss further expressed gratitude to the airlines and other key stakeholders whose contributions have been instrumental in the smooth and successful operations recorded so far.

“The NAHCON management cannot thank the NAHCON staff enough, nor can management adequately appreciate the airlines and other various partners for their seamless cooperation.

“It has been a collective effort, and the results are showing,” the Chairman said.

Saleh assured the public that the focus would soon shift to Makkah, where the next wave of arriving pilgrims would be received.

He gave assurance that the Makkah team was fully prepared and has already braced up to replicate and even exceed the standard set in Madinah.

He expressed deep confidence that pilgrims would enjoy a smooth Hajj experience this year.

The NAHCON boss reaffirmed NAHCON’s resolve to abide by its vision statement: “To provide efficient and effective services to the pilgrims”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Scaling-up Nigeria/Pakistan bilateral relations
Features , Foreign

Scaling-up Nigeria/Pakistan bilateral relations

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By Maureen Okon

Nigeria and Pakistan, both members of the Commonwealth of Nations and Developing-8, have enjoyed blossoming diplomatic and bilateral relations over the years.

The relations established on March 22, 1961, spans from trade to defence and cultural exchanges; it is growing deeper, with both countries building strong ties.

In 2023, Pakistani exports to Nigeria was approximated at 39.8 million dollars, consisting mainly of packaged medicaments, synthetic fabrics, and vinyl chloride polymers.

Pakistani imports from Nigeria are worth 565.09 million dollars in 2024, according to the UN COMTRADE database on international trade.

Some Pakistani imports from Nigeria are mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, oil seed, oleagic fruits, grain, seed, fruits, wastes of food industry, animal fodder, cotton, raw hides and skins, among others.

Both countries have benefited through the trade relationship and are working to strengthen their ties through trade delegations and business liaison.

In 2021, Pakistan energised its relations with Nigeria and Africa through the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), using the ‘’Engage Africa Policy’’ platform.

The policy, which was implemented to strengthen trade and economic ties with Nigeria, then went further to extend the relationship to other Africa countries by opening five new diplomatic missions in; Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Djibouti, and Ghana.

Weighing in on the relations, Retired Maj.-Gen. Sohail Khan, the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, said that his country’s historical relationship with Nigeria continued to deepen with engagement in trade, cultural and military exchanges.

Khan said that both countries would continue to strive harder to further improve their bilateral ties.

In 2024, Pakistan collaborated with Beauty West Africa (BWA) exhibition held in Lagos, where the Pakistani ambassador said that the collaboration between his country and Nigeria on raw material for beauty products should be strengthened to enhance investments both countries.

The BWA seventh edition was termed as the biggest beauty exhibition of its kind in recent times which had in attendance more than 300 exhibitors from 52 countries.

Khan said the collaboration between his country and Nigeria on raw material for beauty products should be strengthened to enhance investments in the country.

The 7th edition of the beauty show was termed as the biggest of its kind in recent times, and it had more than 300 exhibitors from 52 countries in attendance.

The countries included Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Korea, Egypt, China, India, Europe, the Middle East, and South America, among others.

According to Khan, the collaboration is a win-win situation where the exchange of goods and services is the bedrock of the relationship of Nigeria and Pakistan.

“Nigeria has got a lot of stuff available in terms of raw materials for the beauty products, hence the need for collaboration; Pakistani investors can come and make investments over here.

“They can establish some small manufacturing units, which in turn both countries can benefit from this kind of joint ventures and joint collaboration, so it has to be a win-win situation for both sides,” Khan said.

The envoy said that the existing cultural similarities between both countries for ages had created the platform for the exchange at the BWA show.

Some Pakistani exhibitors lauded the organisers of the exhibition for creating a platform for more than 52 countries to showcase their beauty products in Nigeria.

They said that the platform provided opportunities to connect and network with one another.

Worthy of mention, Nigeria and Pakistan have forged strategic bonds in counter-terrorism, and border security to reinforce bilateral military relations.

Recently, Gen. Shahir Mirza, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan, paid a strategic visit to Gen. Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff.

The strategic meeting marked a significant step toward reinforcing military cooperation, specifically in the areas of training, intelligence sharing and counterterrorism.

The collaboration saw both countries training over 2,000 Nigerian military officers who received training from various Pakistani military institutions, as part of the collaboration to boost defence capabilities of both countries.

The training initiative aims to enhance Nigeria’s military operations against insurgency and terrorism.

Mirza said that Nigeria was a continental powerhouse with geo-strategic importance to Pakistan.

He expressed his country’s readiness to further collaborate with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

On his part, Musa said that the Nigerian Military would continue to build its capacity in collaboration with the Pakistani Armed Forces.

The chief of defence staff empahsised the importance of having a strategic collaboration between both countries in the area of training, particularly, Special Forces training; management of veteran affairs, border security and intelligence.

He added that these collaborative efforts had birthed the training of over two thousand officers in various Pakistani military institutions.

The Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that Mirza met with Nigeria’s defense minister as well as the chiefs of the army, navy and air force.

“The meetings focused on challenges faced by both countries, especially in the domain of counterterrorism, as well as broader defense cooperation and regional security.

“During the separately-held meetings, both sides engaged in discussions on challenges faced by both countries especially in the domain of Counter Terrorism (CT) and areas of mutual interest, including security, defense cooperation, and the evolving international / regional landscape.

“Both sides reaffirmed the resolve to further enhance defense and military collaboration between both militaries,” ISPR said.

The two countries enjoy excellent relations in defence and military domains. Nigerian Air Force has inducted 3 JF-17 thunder jets and 10 Super Mushak aircrafts in their fleet procured from Pakistan.

Under Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme, Pakistan offers scholarships to Nigerian students; there are approximately 2500 Pakistanis living in Nigeria.

In the light of similar security and economic challenges faced by Nigeria and Pakistan, analysts say deepening bilateral relations between the two countries will be mutually beneficial.

They say enhancing counter-terrorism and defence cooperation has become imperative as both nations battle onslaughts from insurgents.(NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

Ivory Coast President seeks stronger intra-African trade, local processing of raw materials
Foreign

Ivory Coast President seeks stronger intra-African trade, local processing of raw materials

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President of Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara has called for stronger intra-African trade and continued efforts to process raw materials locally.

Ouattara made the call at the 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum 2025 in Abidjan.

“We must now work to strengthen intra‑African trade by continuing our efforts to process our raw materials and by accelerating the implementation of the AfCFTA,” he said.

He underscored the country’s strong macroeconomic performance driven by private-sector investment.

Speaking during the forum, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said his country was seeking 1.7 billion dollars in investments to build digital infrastructure and create youth employment.

According to him, the funding will support projects including constructing data centres and deploying high-speed internet, with a target of achieving 5G coverage across the West African nation by 2030.

Forum organisers stressed that improving public policy and economic governance is essential to unlocking Africa’s full potential.

The forum brought together more than 2,800 leaders from the public and private sectors across more than 90 countries.

DNE Africa, a partner of TV BRICS, reported that the 12th edition of the forum, focused on forging a new partnership between African governments and businesses to fast-track the continent’s economic transformation.

The central theme of the forum – “Can a New Deal Between State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?” – framed discussions around economic governance, industrial strategy, and the acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area. (TV BRICS/NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Egypt trains 13,555 dental interns to enhance oral healthcare nationwide
Foreign

Egypt trains 13,555 dental interns to enhance oral healthcare nationwide

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In line with Egypt’s national strategy to advance dental healthcare and promote public health, the Ministry of Health and Population has announced the successful training of 13,555 dental interns across all governorates in 2024.

The initiative covered multiple key disciplines, including oral and maxillofacial surgery, conservative dentistry, endodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics, and dental technology, as reported by the Middle East News Agency (MENA), a partner of TV BRICS.

According to Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the ministry, the training programme was launched under the Ministry of Health and Population with the aim of enhancing the scientific and clinical expertise of dental interns.

It was also launched in order to equip the interns with practical skills to navigate the demands of the healthcare sector through a structured and comprehensive programme.

The ministry confirmed that the trained interns – graduates of public and private universities – were deployed across hospitals and health units affiliated with regional health directorates.

In addition to clinical placements, the programme included scientific seminars, the development of a detailed training manual, and mechanisms to ensure the fair distribution of interns across the country.

This initiative supports the readiness of young dentists to enter the workforce and respond effectively to medical challenges.

MENA further reported that no fewer than 9,950 dentists were officially assigned to duty during the same year.

Alongside training and deployment, the ministry extended community outreach services to more than two million citizens, aiming to promote oral hygiene and prevent infections, tooth decay, and gum disease. (TV BRICS/NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

NATO chief highlights Türkiye’s role in Istanbul peace talks
Foreign

NATO chief highlights Türkiye’s role in Istanbul peace talks

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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised Türkiye’s significant role in Istanbul peace talks aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict, saying Turkish President Erdogan is “an amazing leader within NATO and really respected by the colleagues.”

“I think there is this window of opportunity this week, but also in the next 10 days, two weeks, to really bring the whole issue of Ukraine to a better place.

“Under the leadership, of course, of President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy, but also very much steered by the American government. And Türkiye plays a big role here,” Rutte told Anadolu, referring to Istanbul peace talks.

Highlighting that there are countries within NATO that are in Europe but are not members of the EU, such as Türkiye, the UK, and Norway, Rutte said:

“I encourage the EU to work as closely as possible with Türkiye, with Norway, with the UK, with us. To make sure that when there are initiatives, that they are spread if possible. Not only within the EU, but within Europe.”

He noted that it would be more beneficial for everyone if EU countries were open to initiatives on defense industry production with non-EU European countries.

He further underlined the importance of Türkiye’s defense industry to NATO, saying: “The Turkish defense industry is crucial to the overall alliance.”

“For example, in Texas, there are factories producing ammunition. They could not have done that without the close cooperation of the companies here in Türkiye. This is just one of many examples.”

Highlighting Türkiye’s advanced defense industry, Rutte said: “We need to develop this all over the alliance. Because we know the Russians are reconstituting themselves at a rapid pace.

“They now produce in three months an ammunition what the whole of the alliance is producing in a year. And the whole of the alliance, in terms of its economic power, is 25 times bigger than Russia.”

Rutte also mentioned encouraging member states to increase their defense spending, saying: “I am urging allies to spend much more on core defense, because we know the Russian threat is there ongoing, long term.

“We know that China is building up its military at an enormous pace and speed, which is having a potential impact on the defense of NATO territory in the future, it might have.

“We know that terrorism is there, so we need to spend more on core defense. But also on defense-related investments.”

He also said he is really confident that the NATO summit in The Hague that will take place next month “will be a splash.”

“A big success projecting NATO power, collective power at the world stage. Showing we stand ready to defend ourselves with the help of Türkiye and the president (Erdogan),” he added.

In response to a question about German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s constructive discussions on selling Eurofighter jets to Türkiye during a press conference, Rutte said:

“I encourage not imposing restrictions on arms sales by one ally on another. This should not happen within the alliance.”

Rutte also said that he listened very carefully to Chancellor Merz and found the German approach more positive than in the past.

On NATO’s vision for the future of European security architecture and its enlargement policy, Rutte said that Ukraine and other countries have the right to express their intention to join NATO, adding that once this intention is voiced, the 32 member countries would evaluate it.   

Rutte reiterated that during the NATO summit in Washington, it was stated that “Ukraine’s path to NATO membership is irreversible,” adding: “At the same time, we never promised Ukraine or anyone that as part of a peace deal, NATO membership would be on the table.”

He stressed the importance of separating Ukraine’s desire for permanent peace from its NATO membership aspirations, noting that if other European countries express their wish to join NATO, this decision would depend on Türkiye and the other 31 member states.  

Commenting on the dissolution of the PKK terror group, the official said: “We know that Türkiye generally is one of the allies within NATO hit hardest by terrorist attacks.”

Emphasizing that fighting terrorism is one of the core tasks of NATO, Rutte further said: “It’s to keep us safe from the Russians. We have to acknowledge what’s happening in China, the build-up of the Chinese military.

But we also have the terrorist threat. And one of the reasons why NATO is there is to fight this terror threat.”

Underlining the importance of the dissolution of the PKK terrorist organization for both Türkiye and the alliance, he said:

“My impression is that the Turkish authorities are really making use of this development to make sure that this part of the alliance is even safer. And the alliance stands ready to help wherever we can when it comes to terrorism.”(AA/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Mark Longyen)

Chinese researcher assesses narratives surrounding Xizang’s human rights  
Foreign

Chinese researcher assesses narratives surrounding Xizang’s human rights  

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By Busayo Onijala

 

Liang Junyan, a researcher at the Institute of History Studies of China Tibetology Research Center, has assessed long-standing views on Xizang’s human rights, challenging the mainstream portrayal of the region.

 

This analysis comes at a time when “pro-Xizang independence” films have debuted worldwide, with two reportedly scheduled to be showcased during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

 

These films, Wisdom of Happiness and State of Statelessness, while not part of the official festival, have sparked renewed debate over the region’s political status.

 

Reacting to this, Liang said both films aim to present the 14th Dalai Lama in a sympathetic light, painting the Tibetan exile community as victims of Chinese policies.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Xizang is also known as Tibet, an autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China.

 

Also, the 14th Dalai Lama is the highest spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism and is currently on exile outside China.

 

According to Liang, a substantial body of archaeological and documentary evidence disputes the portrayal of Xizang as a distinct entity separate from China.

 

“Historical records indicate that Xizang has been an integral part of China for centuries, further supported by the 1951 Agreement on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Xizang,” he said.

 

This, Liang said, is also known as the “17-Article Agreement,” which saw Xizang peacefully incorporated into the People’s Republic of China.

 

“In a telegram sent to Chairman Mao Zedong on October 24, 1951, the Dalai Lama expressed his support for the agreement.

 

“However, by 1957, the Dalai Lama shifted course, aligning with separatist factions within Xizang’s elite.

 

“This led to the full-scale armed rebellion in 1959, which resulted in the Dalai Lama’s flight to India, where he established a self-proclaimed Tibetan government-in-exile.”

 

The Tibetology expert said the Dalai Lama and his supporters found financial backing in the west, adding that the support was framed as part of the broader geopolitical strategy to contain China’s influence.

 

Critics argue that this external intervention exacerbates tensions between China and the exiled Tibetan community, while hindering the potential for improved relations between China and the west.

 

Liang said that ongoing developments in Xizang, including the recent release of China’s State Council Information Office white paper entitled “Human Rights in Xizang in the New Era”, painted a starkly different picture.

 

According to the white paper, Xizang enjoys significant political stability, ethnic unity, economic growth, and social harmony.

 

“The document highlights improvements in the region’s environmental health, security, and overall quality of life, positioning these changes as key achievements in human rights protection.

 

“For the people of Xizang, the greatest human right, as articulated in the report, is the ability to lead a fulfilling life, and this, the paper argues, is evident in the smiling faces of Xizang’s diverse population,” he said.

 

Liang said that the portrayal of contentment among the region’s citizens stood in contrast to the negative image pushed by separatist movements, with their narratives facing increasing resistance.

 

Liang said in recent years, more Xizang compatriots overseas had come to either dissociate themselves from separatist groups or return to China to do their utmost to contribute to building their homeland.

 

According to the researcher, human rights are not just abstract principles, they are grounded in individuals’ real-life experiences and emotions.

 

“At its core, the greatest human right is the ability to live a happy life, something the people of Xizang are clearly enjoying.

 

“It is inevitable that no matter how hard separatist forces hype things up, they can’t affect the stable, harmonious social situation in Xizang,” Liang said. (NAN)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

El-Sisi commends AfDB president for advancing dev’t
Foreign

El-Sisi commends AfDB president for advancing dev’t

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By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has commended outgoing President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Akinwumi Adesina’s efforts to strengthen the bank’s role and provide crucial funding to advance development goals across Africa.

 

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said that El-Sisi, at a meeting in Cairo, also wished Adesina success in his future endeavours.

 

He reaffirmed Egypt’s ongoing support for the AfDB and commitment to cooperating with its next president.

 

On his part, Adesina commended Egypt’s support and its pivotal role in enhancing the bank’s development efforts across Africa in recent years.

 

El-Sisi and Adesina also discussed ways to enhance Egypt’s relations with the bank, underscoring the importance of boosting cooperation in various fields, particularly new and renewable energy and infrastructure.

 

They emphasised the need to strengthen the private sector’s role in development, job creation, ensuring food and water security, improving energy efficiency, developing manufacturing capabilities, and advancing digital transformation.

 

They also highlighted the necessity of the AfDB’s continuous support for Egypt’s efforts to achieve growth, development and economic reform.

 

The meeting also discussed implementing various projects under the national platform for the Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy (NWFE) programme.

 

NWFE, launched in July 2022, is a national scheme meant to implement the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), a document Egypt recently submitted detailing its commitments to emission targets by 2030.

 

Adesina, the 8th elected president of the AfDB, was first elected in May 2015 by the Bank’s Board of Governors at its Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.(NAN)

UK sees growing business opportunities in Nigeria — Envoy
Foreign

UK sees growing business opportunities in Nigeria — Envoy

261 total views today

By Chinenye Offor

Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, says the United Kingdom (UK) sees growing opportunities in doing business in Nigeria.

Montgomery made this known during a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja at the UK-Nigeria Economic Growth Conference, themed “Driving Sustainable Trade and Investment.”

He noted that Nigeria had become increasingly attractive for business and investment, particularly in the areas of trade and economic partnerships.

According to him, the UK’s positive assessment of Nigeria’s economic trajectory has positioned the country as an increasingly important partner.

Montgomery attributed the renewed investor confidence to the economic reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Nigeria has become increasingly investible in areas of trade and investment opportunities and the naira is more stable, the foreign exchange reserve is rising, which makes the environment less risky for business

“Naira is more stable and predictability enables investment, foreign exchange reserves are also up which makes Nigeria more investible and less risky for business,” he said.

He also noted that revenue had doubled for many states, signaling economic growth and the potential for more job creation.

“In spite of the current high inflation, we still see strong business prospects,” he added.

Montgomery emphasised that both the UK and Nigerian governments were working collaboratively to stimulate job creation, drive wealth generation, and promote inclusive economic growth.

He also highlighted Nigeria’s growing strategic relevance, both regionally and globally.

“Nigeria is an anchor country in Africa and is playing an increasingly assertive role on the world stage,” he said.

Montgomery outlined three key pillars of the UK’s approach to trade relations with Nigeria: as a positive assessment of Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, which make it a more accessible investment destination.

“The UK’s own economic reforms and their relevance for Nigeria, and a roadmap for deepening trade and investment relations between both nations.

Also speaking at the event, Mark Smithson, Country Director for the UK’s Department for Business and Trade in Nigeria, said the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) was a cornerstone of the UK’s broader bilateral relations with Nigeria.

According to Smithson, Nigeria is the UK’s second-largest trading partner in Africa and the UK’s largest export market on the continent.

“In February 2024, we signed the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership, the first of its kind in Africa and one of only two such agreements globally, highlighting Nigeria’s strategic importance.

“ETIP is a co-developed framework aimed at fostering inclusive growth. It aligns with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s growth agenda and President Tinubu’s eight-point economic agenda,” he said.

He said the partnership supports job creation, economic expansion, and reforms in the business environment.

“It also promotes public-private collaboration, technical cooperation, and the removal of non-tariff trade barriers such as quality standards, quotas, import licenses, and complex customs procedures.”

Similarly, Zarah Audu, Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), emphasised the UK’s status as one of the most innovative economies in the world and Nigeria’s strategic role as a partner.

“With our large population and dynamic entrepreneurial base, Nigeria is well-positioned to be a key driver of bilateral economic growth,” she said.

She added that the Nigerian government was committed to positioning the country as a globally competitive, transparent, and business-friendly economy.

“Today offers a critical platform to reflect on the evolving UK-Nigeria relationship and explore how the ETIP can drive sustainable economic growth in both nations.

“The ETIP marks a renewed commitment to strengthening trade, investment, and diplomatic ties between our countries.

“It focuses on shared priorities across sectors such as financial services, clean energy, digital innovation, and the creative economy,” she said.

She stressed the importance of reducing trade barriers, improving regulatory frameworks, and expanding Nigeria’s export capabilities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

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