Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has pledged to strengthen Nigeria’s economic partnership with the United Kingdom, spotlighting aviation and key sectors as he celebrated British Airways’ 90 years of connecting both nations.
Tinubu hosted a British Airways delegation led by High Commissioner Dr Richard Montgomery.
Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga issued a statement summarising the meeting.
The president called Nigeria’s partnership with Britain both strategic and valuable.
He said the transformation and strengthening of relations over the past 90 years was a milestone worthy of celebration.
Tinubu recalled his recent state visit to the UK and meeting with King Charles III.
“We hold in high regard our relationship with His Majesty the King,” he said.
Furthermore, the president stated that continued cooperation between the two countries would create opportunities for growth, investment, and shared prosperity. As part of this ongoing collaboration, British Airways’ role is to foster trade and people-to-people ties between both nations.
He said Nigeria was implementing reforms to strengthen the aviation industry and broader economy.
“Nigeria is still going through reforms and transformation of our aviation industry and every aspect of our economy,” he said.
The president added that one of the earliest achievements of his administration was settling outstanding liabilities owed to foreign airlines operating in Nigeria.
He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had helped resolve issues affecting bilateral business relations.
In his remarks, British Airways Commercial Officer Mr Colm Lacy noted the airline had served generations of Nigerians for nine decades. ” It is a destination but a long-standing and valued market,” he said.
Lacy commended Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, aviation agencies and the CBN for improving confidence in the sector.
Earlier, Keyamo said British Airways now operates brand new aircraft on the London-Nigeria route. On the operational front, Keyamo said British Airways had fully complied with the Federal Government’s policy encouraging local catering services on outbound international flights.
Montgomery also thanked TIn addition, Montgomery thanked Tinubu for his recent state visit, noting that major investment agreements were reached during the trip.
