•UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery
The United Kingdom today decried the security situation in Nigeria, describing it as worrisome.
Briefing journalists at his residence in Abuja, the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, attributed the situation to spill overs from Sudan and Niger, reports Channels TV.
Montgomery said the UK government was collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser as well as through investments in security infrastructure to reduce it.
He expressed concerns over cases of visa fraud in the country, stressing that the situation was connected to the recent cases of visa rejections.
The envoy advised visa applicants to provide the right supporting documents to get a chance of approval.
The United Kingdom, however, reiterated its commitment to fostering its economic and trade ties with Nigeria through the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP).
According to the diplomat, the core mandate of the partnership covers areas such as education, agriculture, financial services, clean energy, digital technology, and the creative industry.
On the nation’s economy, Montgomery hailed the latest report of the World Bank that said Nigeria is on the path towards economic recovery, thus making it an investment hub for the United Kingdom.
He also commended the trade ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, which he said currently stand at £7.2 billion.
While applauding the trade partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, the British High Commissioner noted that exports of hydrocarbons from the UK to Nigeria had reduced, stressing that the boost given to local production remained commendable.
On export tariffs, the UK announced a tariff-free export on 3,000 goods from Nigeria.
Some of the products on the list include cocoa, cashew nuts, prawns, and flowers.
Migration
During the briefing, Montgomery responded to questions concerning the migration of skilled health care workers to the UK, highlighting that the move is to control the influx of persons.
He stressed that over 1.6 million people moved to the UK in the last two years, and sustaining their migration to the UK was not realistic.
While highlighting the fact that the UK population was put at 68 million, the envoy explained that Nigerians got over 10 percent of visa approvals recently.
