UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has written to President-elect
Bola Tinubu ahead of his inauguration.
In the letter, Sunak said he “looks forward
to working” with Tinubu who won the presidential election on the platform of
the All Progressives Congress (APC) in February.
Sunak said he hopes to welcome Tinubu to London in April
2024 for the second Africa Investment Summit.
He said the summit will 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 said the UK will continue to support
Nigeria in addressing its security challenges through the sharing of expertise
and tools.
“The UK has been a longstanding partner of Nigeria and we
stand ready to support your 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.
“The deep bond between our two nations comes not only from
our shared heritage and the links between our people, including through
education, the arts, and sport, but also our 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.”
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.
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