27th April, 2023
By Nehru Odeh
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has written a letter to Nigerian president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ahead of the Monday, May 29 inauguration.
In the letter seen by TheCable, Sunak said he “looks forward to working” with Tinubu, who won the February 25 presidential election on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sunak said he hopes to welcome Tinubu to London in April 2024 for the second Africa Investment Summit.
He said the summit would be a “key moment” to strengthen UK-Nigerian business partnerships “in order to create jobs and growth, increase bilateral trade and investment, and support your aim of boosting Nigeria’s export competitiveness”.
The prime minister also said the UK would continue to support Nigeria in addressing its security challenges through the sharing of expertise and tools.
Sunak said the UK had been a longstanding partner of Nigeria and stood stand ready to support his efforts to build peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria.
“The UK Government welcomed the opportunity to hear your priorities when you met the Minister of State for Development and Africa last year.
“I am proud of our work supporting access to education and healthcare, improving governance, and helping meet the humanitarian needs of those affected by conflict,” the letter reads in part.
“Together, we can expand our partnership further, including by strengthening our trade and investment relationship for the mutual prosperity of both our countries through an Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership.
“I also hope to continue our work in addressing the security challenges facing Nigeria and the wider region. Such challenges are not limited by borders; it is vital that we share expertise and tools to combat them. The National Security Adviser looks forward to further dialogue with your National Security Adviser later this year,” he said.
Sunak added that the deep bond between the two nations came not only from shared heritage and the links between the people, including through education, the arts, and sport, but also the unique relationship through the Commonwealth.
“We can take pride in its values of democracy, good governance and cooperation. Through this forum, we will continue working in partnership to tackle global challenges like climate change, with its unique impact on Nigeria and your wider region, I believe our shared leadership on this can play a vital role,” he added.
Sunak added that his government will continue liaising with Tinubu and his team “through the transition period and following your inauguration”.
President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to hand over power to Tinubu on May 29.