Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, stated Nigeria had recorded elevated export to the UK, as Nigeria-UK commerce hit £8.1 billion.
Drawing from obtainable information, Kuku confirmed rising commerce volumes and new market alternatives inside the aviation sector, which had been contributing to Nigeria’s export volumes.
Relatedly, a high-level United Kingdom commerce mission on schooling and expertise concluded a week-long expertise and colleges commerce mission to Nigeria, laying a basis for expanded collaboration in schooling and workforce improvement between each international locations.
The mission organised by the UK Division for Enterprise and Commerce, which ran from April 19 to 23 in Abuja and Lagos, introduced collectively main UK non-public colleges, expertise suppliers and schooling establishments with Nigerian stakeholders, together with policymakers, traders and college operators.
In the meantime, talking at a discussion board hosted by the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, Kuku, represented by Director of Cargo Growth and Providers, Lekan Thomas, acknowledged that there have been encouraging commerce figures and coverage help driving the aviation hall.
Based on her, Nigeria-UK commerce reached £8.1 billion, recording an 11.4 per cent year-on-year improve, whereas UK imports from Nigeria stood at £2.4 billion.
She acknowledged that even a modest 1–5 per cent improve in exports may generate a further $25–125 million in income.
The FAAN boss additionally pointed to the UK’s resolution to grant duty-free or diminished tariffs on over 3,000 Nigerian merchandise as a serious alternative for exporters, notably in agriculture, manufacturing, and rising sectors.
She emphasised robust authorities backing for aviation reforms, citing latest engagements led by President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, which had helped restore investor confidence and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Kuku stated FAAN was already advancing infrastructure upgrades, digital cargo methods, and incentives to draw extra cargo airways, positioning Nigeria to seize a bigger share of the worldwide air freight market.
“With the best methods in place, Nigeria is well-positioned to scale exports, deepen commerce with the UK, and develop into a number one air cargo hub in Africa,” Kuku stated.
In the meantime, the UK commerce mission on schooling and expertise was organised by the UK Division for Enterprise and Commerce. The engagement was half the UK’s broader Worldwide Training Technique, which identifies Nigeria as one among 5 precedence markets for world schooling partnerships.
The initiative is being championed by Steve Smith, who is predicted to return to Nigeria later this yr to maintain the momentum.
The mission builds on diplomatic and academic engagements throughout a latest state go to to the UK in March, additional reinforcing the rising significance of schooling inside UK–Nigeria bilateral relations.
On the coronary heart of discussions was the enlargement of in-country supply of British schooling, together with the institution of internationally recognised UK colleges in Nigeria, in addition to the event of industry-aligned expertise programmes, notably in Technical and Vocational Training and Coaching (TVET).
In Abuja, the delegation held high-level talks with Nigeria’s Minister of Training, Tunji Alausa, securing robust political backing for deeper institutional cooperation. Either side explored pathways for partnerships that will strengthen Nigeria’s schooling system whereas equipping younger individuals with expertise tailor-made to labour market calls for.
The delegation additionally visited a number of British curriculum colleges and schools in Abuja and Lagos, gaining first-hand perception into educating requirements and operational fashions already in place inside Nigeria.
Talking on the conclusion of the mission, British Deputy Excessive Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, highlighted schooling as a key pillar of bilateral engagement.
Baxter acknowledged, “The UK and Nigeria share a deep and longstanding relationship, and alternatives in schooling are one among its most enjoyable frontiers.”
He stated the mission demonstrated “robust urge for food on each side to deepen collaboration.”
He added that connecting UK establishments with Nigerian companions would assist construct sustainable, in-country schooling methods, whereas positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for high-quality studying.
Additionally reflecting on the mission, Sarah Chidgey described the initiative as a sensible demonstration of the UK’s schooling technique in motion.
Based on her, progress in UK–Nigeria schooling collaboration has grown steadily since her first go to in 2022, with the present mission reinforcing mutual dedication to increasing entry, high quality, and innovation within the sector.
The delegation included representatives from distinguished UK establishments, corresponding to Harrow Worldwide Faculty, The King’s Faculty Canterbury, Whitgift Faculty, Bedford Faculty, and Pearson, amongst others.
The mission concluded with a strong pipeline of follow-up actions, together with one-on-one engagements, memorandum of understanding (MoU) discussions, and agreed subsequent steps geared toward translating dialogue into tangible partnerships.
Analysts say the initiative alerts a shift in direction of extra structured and commercially viable schooling cooperation between each international locations, with potential advantages spanning scholar mobility, native capability constructing, and expertise improvement aligned to Nigeria’s {economic} priorities.
Chinedu Eze and Michael Olugbode
Times Nigeria