Nigeria Demands Easier UK Market Access, Stronger Trade and Security Cooperation

Nigeria has called on the United Kingdom to ease restrictions affecting Nigerian products in the British market as both countries seek to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, defence and security.

The call was made during a meeting between the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, and Christiana Scott, Director-General of the Diplomatic Network at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), in Abuja on Monday.

According to a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the meeting focused on implementing commitments arising from President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to the UK.

Both countries identified the Defence and Security Partnership and the Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue as key frameworks for advancing their shared priorities.

Ahmed highlighted opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation in solid minerals, agriculture, renewable energy, transport and industry, stressing the importance of local value addition, technology transfer, job creation and sustainable economic growth.

He urged the British government to improve market access for Nigerian goods, noting the need to create better opportunities for local businesses and exporters to compete in the UK.

The permanent secretary also outlined the Tinubu administration’s four foreign policy priorities, known as the four Ds: Demography, Development, Diaspora and Democracy.

He described Nigerians in the diaspora as an important asset for expanding economic cooperation and strengthening people-to-people relations between both countries.

On regional integration, Ahmed reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to African-led solutions to continental challenges, stronger African Union and ECOWAS institutions, and the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He also called for a structured mechanism to monitor bilateral agreements, with clear timelines, assigned responsibilities and measurable targets to ensure that commitments translate into tangible benefits.

In her remarks, Scott acknowledged Nigeria’s economic reform efforts and expressed the UK’s interest in supporting greater participation by British businesses in emerging investment opportunities in the country.

She disclosed plans for business engagements in Lagos, including discussions on investment opportunities in the port sector.

Security cooperation featured prominently during the meeting, with Scott reaffirming the UK’s commitment to regional stability through its Sahel strategy, which prioritises diplomatic engagement, humanitarian assistance and economic resilience.

Both sides agreed that tackling insecurity requires addressing its underlying socioeconomic causes alongside conventional security measures.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism, violent extremism and other transnational threats through intelligence-sharing, technological support and institutional capacity-building.

The discussions further covered democratic governance, credible electoral processes and the growing challenges posed by misinformation and artificial intelligence-generated content.

Ahmed and Scott also exchanged views on preparations for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, including discussions on the historical legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.

Other areas identified for closer cooperation included food security, rail infrastructure, electrification, climate action, green finance and agricultural value chains.

The meeting ended with both countries reaffirming their commitment to sustained diplomatic engagement, stronger institutional cooperation and practical partnerships aimed at delivering mutual economic and security benefits.