Tinubu’s UK state visit a reflection of Nigeria’s growing global influence – HAI

The Hope Alive Initiative (HAI) has described the forthcoming state visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the United Kingdom as a validation of his soft-power approach to diplomacy and Nigeria’s growing influence in global affairs.

HAI in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday by the group’s Director of Press and Communication, Ernest Omoarelojie urged Nigerians to see the visit as underscoring the enduring friendship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, and a signal of a renewed era of cooperation in diplomacy, trade, security and cultural exchange.

“The visit, the first of its kind in nearly four decades, goes beyond the symbolism of elevated ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom because it is an indication of President Tinubu and Nigeria’s importance within the Commonwealth and the United Kingdom,” the statement read in part.

The group further noted that the visit also represents the highest level of diplomatic engagement and reflects the UK’s recognition of Nigeria’s pivotal role as Africa’s largest economy and a strategic partner in global affairs.

HAI expressed confidence that President Tinubu would use the visit to engage in high-level discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic opportunities and deepening cooperation on shared priorities such as climate action, counterterrorism and sustainable development.

The group also urged the President to tap on the visit to highlight the contributions of diaspora Nigerians in the UK while also reinforcing cultural and educational ties between both countries.

According to the pro good governance group, the visit presents a strategic opportunity for Nigeria to attract investment, promote innovation and enhance its new global standing, while at the same time urging the host country to reaffirm its partnership with Nigeria and other African nations in the post-Brexit era.

The organisation further urged Nigerians to support Tinubu, citing the administration’s bold economic reforms to put the country on the path to sustainability and prosperity. It pointed to the removal of fuel subsidies, which it noted, ended the era of persistent fuel queues and significantly increased states’ revenues from the federation account.

While hailing the impact of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), over which more than 1,164,222 students have received over ₦206bn interest-free loans to support tertiary education since the programme was launched in 2024.

The group also noted that the unification of the foreign exchange market by the Tinubu’s administration had enabled manufacturers and businesses to plan within a single exchange window, having eliminated the distortions associated with the previous multi-window regime, a reason why the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria commended the policy for reducing the activities of middlemen.

HAI also cited what it described as improvements in fiscal discipline and other macroeconomic indicators, including a reported decline in inflation from 34.19 per cent in 2024 to 15.10 per cent by January 2026; GDP growth of 4.07 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025-the highest in three years; and an increase in foreign reserves to $45.4 billion as of December 2025.

The organisation noted with confidence that due to the President’s engaging diplomacy, Nigeria strengthened its relations with key allies, including the United States, leading to collaborations in areas such as counter-terrorism cooperation and financial crime prevention, including Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, grey list.

HAI concluded by calling for national consensus in support of the administration, pointing to what it described as growing political alignment across party lines in backing the President’s agenda.