Vice President Kashim Shettima has requested the establishment of a Nigeria-United Kingdom Binational Commission to foster stronger relationship between the two nations given their long-standing historical antecedents, business activities and common interests.
Shettima made the demand when he received the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Richard Montgomery, at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
In his remarks, Shettima appreciated the long-standing assistance and support of the UK government to Nigeria and looked forward to more robust business relations.
“I will urge you to facilitate the setting up of the Nigeria-UK Binational Commission; that Bi-national Commission can be the driver for accelerating the business relationship between our two countries,” he said.
Shettima stressed the need to ramp up the trade between the two nations taking into consideration their proximity adding that there is no nation that Nigeria is closer to than the UK in terms of trade volume, import and export.
On the issue of the economy, Shettima, in a statement by his media office, said: “most definitely, we are going to create an enabling environment for businesses to flourish in this country.”
On the issue of Boko Haram terrorists and kidnappers, the Vice President said: “As part of the efforts of the Tinubu administration towards addressing ongoing security problems, the Vice President disclosed that the government will soon roll out different socio-economic intervention programmes and initiatives.”
Reacting to Shettima’s demand and gestures, Montgomery commended the new administration’s proactive economic policies, especially the reforms.
He commended the long-standing relationship and cooperation with Nigeria, especially in trade and investment, security and defence, digital technology and education.
He also expressed the readiness of the UK government to partner closely with the Federal Government of Nigeria to achieve the country’s overall development.
