The UK Government allocated over £300 million last year towards various programs and peacekeeping initiatives aimed at enhancing stability and security across African nations, benefiting both African and UK citizens.
Baroness Lucy Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, Minister of State in the UK Cabinet Office, who is currently in Nigeria to strengthen the UK-Nigeria partnership, revealed this during her visit, as conveyed in a statement by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Abuja.
Her visit follows closely after the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership talks, where agreements were reached on cybersecurity, defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, human rights, and civil-military cooperation.
Part of this investment, amounting to over £15 million, was dedicated to enhancing Nigeria’s security, resulting in tangible benefits for both Nigerian and British nationals through activities such as detecting and seizing more than 3 tonnes of illegal drugs.
In addition, UK funding facilitated the resettlement of over 500 individuals displaced by violent groups in North Eastern Nigeria, providing support in various forms including vocational training, religious counseling, psycho-social support, drug counseling, and literacy lessons.
The collaboration between the UK and Nigeria extends to addressing regional threats to stability, including contributions to UN efforts in stabilizing communities within the Lake Chad Basin after years of violence by extremist groups, impacting nearly 11 million people across Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
Neville-Rolfe emphasized the strong security and economic partnership between the UK and Nigeria, highlighting the instrumental role played by UK investment in tackling critical challenges such as drug smuggling, cybercrime, and human displacement. She stressed the importance of closer collaboration to effectively respond to threats and promote a secure cyberspace, underscoring Nigeria’s significance as Africa’s largest economy and its pivotal role in regional security.
Dr. Richard Montgomery, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, reiterated the UK’s commitment to standing as a steadfast friend, collaborating with the Nigerian government to effectively address domestic and regional security challenges. He emphasized the practical assistance provided through the UK’s Conflict, Security, and Stability Fund, which has made tangible differences in Nigeria, ranging from combating human trafficking to supporting the resettlement of individuals fleeing violence in the northeast region of the country.