President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has called for deeper parliamentary cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, advocating structured legislative exchanges, stronger institutional partnerships and increased British investment in Nigeria.
Akpabio made the call during a courtesy visit by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Peter Vowles, at his office in Abuja.
The Senate President said both countries must build on their longstanding historical, diplomatic and economic relations by expanding cooperation between the Nigerian National Assembly and the British Parliament.
He identified parliamentary exchange programmes, legislative knowledge-sharing and closer institutional engagement as important opportunities for strengthening the Nigeria–UK relationship.
Strengthening Nigeria–UK Parliamentary Cooperation
Akpabio emphasised that the relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom extends beyond their shared history to include significant economic, trade and security interests.
He urged both parliaments to develop stronger mechanisms for cooperation, enabling lawmakers to exchange experiences, share legislative expertise and improve parliamentary practices.
“The history of Nigeria will not be complete without the United Kingdom. For us in Nigeria, London is like a second home,” he said.
He added that the relationship should extend further into legislative cooperation, where both countries could benefit from sustained engagement and the exchange of knowledge.
The Senate President acknowledged existing parliamentary exchanges involving members of the British House of Commons and Nigerian legislative committees. He noted that Nigerian lawmakers had also undertaken visits to the House of Lords and House of Commons.
However, he called for a more structured approach that would deepen institutional relationships and create greater opportunities for parliamentary collaboration.
“We want to deepen our relationship. We want to be able to have a lot of exchange programmes that will enable us to learn more and expand the relationship between the Nigerian Parliament as a whole and the United Kingdom in the area of legislation,” Akpabio stated.
Akpabio Highlights Nigeria’s Strategic Importance to the United Kingdom
The Senate President also acknowledged the significance of Nigeria’s relationship with the British monarchy and government.
He commended His Majesty King Charles III for the hospitality extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his delegation during their recent state visit to the United Kingdom.
Akpabio noted that Nigeria occupies an important position in Africa because of its population, economic potential and contributions to regional security.
According to him, these shared interests provide a strong foundation for sustained diplomatic engagement and greater cooperation between both countries.
He stressed that Nigeria and the United Kingdom must continue to strengthen their relationship in ways that advance their mutual interests and support broader development across Africa.
Expanding British Investment in Nigeria’s Oil and Mining Sectors
Beyond parliamentary diplomacy, Akpabio encouraged British investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s oil, gas and solid minerals sectors.
He highlighted the country’s natural resources, expanding economic opportunities and ongoing efforts to improve the investment environment.
The Senate President expressed confidence in Nigeria’s investment potential and encouraged the British High Commissioner to communicate available opportunities to investors in the United Kingdom.
He also pointed to government efforts to improve the ease of doing business and facilitate the repatriation of investment proceeds.
His remarks underscored the importance of connecting diplomatic relations with practical economic cooperation, private-sector investment and opportunities for national development.
British High Commissioner Reaffirms UK Commitment to Nigeria
In his remarks, the British High Commissioner, Peter Vowles, reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with Nigeria.
Vowles said his visit provided an opportunity to convey the British government’s goodwill to the leadership of the National Assembly and reinforce the importance of sustained cooperation.
“The instruction from my government is to find a way to continue to deepen that relationship. We believe that we have made a very important stride together. We want to continue to drive that further together,” he said.
The High Commissioner acknowledged the UK’s established relationship with both chambers of Nigeria’s National Assembly and expressed his government’s willingness to support areas of mutual interest.
“We have a longstanding relationship with the National Assembly, both houses. We will continue to partner with you where you require UK support and partnership,” he stated.
Building a Stronger Partnership Through Parliamentary Diplomacy
The engagement highlighted the growing importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations.
By promoting legislative exchanges and institutional cooperation, Nigeria and the United Kingdom can create additional opportunities to share expertise, improve parliamentary practices and deepen their longstanding partnership.
For Akpabio, stronger parliamentary relations should complement the wider diplomatic and economic ties between both nations.
His call for expanded cooperation reflects the role of the National Assembly in advancing Nigeria’s international partnerships while supporting legislative development, investment and national progress.
