The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, arrived in Nigeria yesterday on his first official visit to Africa, underscoring a renewed emphasis on economic collaboration and growth-centered diplomacy between the UK and African nations.
His visit marks the beginning of a five-month consultation aimed at reshaping UK-Africa relations to prioritise African voices and ambitions across the continent.
This was contained in a statement signed and released by the Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer, British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, Ndidiamaka Eze, on Sunday.
In Nigeria, Lammy will advocate for deeper trade and investment ties, supporting what he described as a fresh, respectful approach that builds “long-term growth rather than short-term solutions.”
Lammy stressed Africa’s significant potential, noting that by 2050, it is set to account for a quarter of the world’s population.
His goal is to build relationships where “the UK and our friends and partners in Africa can grow together.”
“Africa has huge growth potential, with the continent on track to make up 25 per cent of the world’s population by 2050.
“Our new approach will deliver respectful partnerships that listen rather than tell, deliver long-term growth rather than short-term solutions, and build a freer, safer, more prosperous continent.
“Growth is the core mission of this government and will underpin our relationships in Nigeria and beyond. This will mean more jobs, more prosperity, and more opportunities for Brits and Africans alike,” the statement read.
The visit came as part of a broader strategy to elevate UK engagement in Africa, with Lammy scheduled to meet with President Bola Tinubu, Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
His agenda includes furthering the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership, which was signed earlier this year to expand trade and market access between the two countries.
The partnership aimed to boost economic opportunities, fostering jobs, and prosperity for both British and Nigerian citizens.
As part of his commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic reforms, Lammy will introduce a technical assistance package designed to support the Nigerian Ministry of Finance.

Rosicrucian Order, English Grand Lodge for West Africa, has urged Rosicrucians all over the world to contribute their quota towards the political and economic development of their countries.
The Order, which gave the task at the AMORC Convention, Port Harcourt 2024, also called on them to remain exemplary in their conducts.
It charged them to radiate love wherever they find themselves as the theme of the convention was “Universal Love.”
Declaring the convention open, the Imperator and President Supreme Grand Lodge (AMORC), Frater Claudio Mazzucco, urged members to ensure a better society for present and future generations.
He also described the convention as historic, and charged them to continue to radiate love to all humanity.
Meanwhile in his message, the Grand Master-designate, Eugenius Idiodi, urged the delegates to reflect on the theme of the convention.
“As we come together under the guiding theme of ‘universal love’ let us pause for a moment to reflect on the profound significance of this gathering and the journey that has brought us to this point”.
Idiodi also described members of the Order as “seeds of various kinds sown into the soil, each with the potentials to bloom into something unique and beautiful”.
“Yet no matter their individual forms, all these seeds share common nurturing light of the sun, the sustaining nourishment of the Earth and the gentle touch of water”, he added.
Grand Master-designate said each member of the Order is like a seed which has the potentials to blossom into its highest level.
In his words, “And just as the seeds in the garden depend on the forces of nature, we too require the nourishing power of universal love to flourish, not as individuals but as a global community bound by the sacred principles of the Rosicrucian tradition”.
Idiodi described the convention as a symbol of collective journey, stressing that members are on a journey towards deeper understanding, compassion and enlightenment.
The Chairman of Local Organising Committee, Edwin I. Obani, said the convention would mark the golden jubilee of the English West Africa Lodge and the installation of the Grand Master-designate, Frater Eugenius Idiodi.
Obani said the event would afford members from the different countries in West Africa to rekindle the love of universal love.
Later at a press conference, members of the Order, including the Imperator and President Supreme Grand Lodge, Claudio Mazzucco, Frater Kenneth Idiodi, Eugenius Idiodi, Lucy Crawford Sandison and Olabimpe Giwa, said love remains the only antidote to solving all societal problems.
They urged members of the society to show love not only to fellow humans but also to mother earth.
The convention marks the Golden Jubilee of the West African Lodge.

By: John Bibor

The Federal Government has increased the compensation amount for property owners affected by the construction of the Section 1, Phase 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The government increased the compensation sum from the initial N8 billion to about N18 billion.
The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, made the disclosure at a stakeholders engagement on the ongoing construction of Phase 1, Sections 1 and 11 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, on Sunday in Lagos.
The Tide’s source reports that the decision was made to ensure fair compensation for the affected citizens.
Umahi said, “The Federal Executive Council initially approved N8 billion for this corridor, but today we are hitting N18 billion, and this is just for section one.”
He said that the compensation figures were justified, adding that they were determined by independent experts and would be publicly disclosed along with property details to ensure transparency.
Expressing the governments’ commitment to transparency, Umahi said that half of the compensation had already been made to the affected people.
The minister pledged to complete the compensation within the next 10 days.
However, some stakeholders, including lawyers and valuation experts, expressed dissatisfaction with the process.
They argued that the compensation was inadequate and that the process did not meet standards.
A lawyer and valuation expert, Mr Olusola Enitan, argued that the compensation fell short of standards.
Enitan said, “Somebody who had a home is now renting with no capacity to replace what was taken from him.”
He cited multiple Supreme Court decisions supporting the right to fair compensation.
He, however, praised Umahi’s efforts in road constructions and reconstructions.
Responding to the concerns, Umahi gave the assurance that the Federal Ministry of Works was working within the law and was open to reviewing any documents presented to facilitate swift compensation.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Mr Akin Alabi, commended the ministry for transparency and stakeholders engagement in the compensation process.
He emphasised the importance of publishing compensation details to counter misinformation and promote accountability.
“There are mischief makers out there, but by the time we start to publish these things, some people will have to keep quiet,” he said.
The Tide source reports that the National Assembly Joint Committee on Works had been in Lagos for the past three days to inspect and assess road and bridge projects.
Umahi led the committee members on tour of the Third Mainland and Carter bridges, among others.