*Baroness Jenny Chapman, Minister for Africa and International Development, in the United Kingdom rounds off her two-day working visit to Nigeria
Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect
Baroness Jenny Chapman, Minister for Africa and International Development, in the United Kingdom (UK), has concluded a two-day visit to Nigeria.
During her visit to the country, Baroness Chapman announced a new £15 million Growth Programme, deepened cooperation on digital transformation and health, and visited communities benefiting directly from UK investment on the ground.
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The visit, spanning Abuja and Kaduna, underscored the breadth and depth of the UK–Nigeria Strategic Partnership and marked a significant step towards both countries’ shared priorities.
The UK–Nigeria Growth Programme
The centrepiece was the meeting with Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
During their meeting, they discussed the new UK–Nigeria Growth Programme.
Over three years, it will accelerate economic transformation, unlock private investment and support Nigeria’s transition from macroeconomic stabilisation to sustained, reform-led growth. Alongside the Growth Programme, the UK announced deeper collaboration on Nigeria’s digital economy through the SPRIRET initiative, delivered under the UK’s Digital Access Programme.
SPRIRET will support digital governance reforms across five Nigerian states, reducing regulatory barriers and enabling greater investment and innovation in broadband, digital services and emerging technology.
Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and British High Commission (BHC), Abuja, FCT, who noted this in a statement, disclosed Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Honourable Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said: “We continue to value the UK–Nigeria relationship, one of the most important partnerships for both our countries.
“Today, that relationship extends beyond traditional ties and now focuses on development, growth, and shared prosperity.”
Oyedele stated: “The UK–Nigeria Growth Programme helps bring this partnership to life—supporting capital market development, technology investment, small businesses, and technical assistance.
“We look forward to seeing how these opportunities deliver lasting benefits and drive progress for both countries.”
Trade and bilateral ministerial meeting
The statement indicated that during her visit, Baroness Chapman met with Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Honourable Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment (ITI).
Discussions covered progress under the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), including boosting exports via the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, fintech and capital markets links.
Kaduna: Building on two decades of partnership
The FCDO/ British High Commission said in Kaduna, Chapman met with Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State to take stock of over 20 years of UK–Kaduna partnership, and explore how cooperation can deepen shared priorities.
She heard from the business community and key institutional investors about their investment aspirations and the role of the UK in supporting investment mobilisation and enabling climate finance.
Baroness Chapman met with community animal health workers and livestock breeders to discuss the UK’s support on breeding techniques, animal health and livestock vaccines.
Besides, she was at Unguwan Sanusi Primary Health Care Centre, which serves approximately 20,000 people in Kaduna South, hearing directly from patients and frontline health workers about the impact of UK-supported health programmes.
The UK Mission stated that at the end of the visit, the UK Minister for Africa and International Development,
Chapman stated: “This visit has reinforced everything I believe about the UK–Nigeria partnership.
“That it is deep, it is real, and it is moving in the right direction.”
She noted that from launching our new Growth Programme with Honourable Minister Oyedele, to meeting from frontline health workers in Kaduna — every conversation this week has shown me a country full of ambition, and a partnership that is genuinely delivering for both sides.
The Minister declared
“Nigeria is a partner that the UK is proud to stand alongside and I leave more convinced than ever that the next chapter of this partnership is its most exciting yet.
“The UK is here for the long term, and we are ready to grow together.”
It is noted that the announcement built on significant existing UK economic engagement in Nigeria.
British International Investment (BII) has invested nearly $800 million across Nigerian agriculture, renewable energy and manufacturing, said the BHC.
Likewise, the UK Export Finance is supporting the rehabilitation and expansion of Lagos ports through a financing package of approximately $1 billion, including contracts for British Steel, helping to improve trade logistics and unlock wider commercial activity, the statement noted.