Three-day trip highlights trade, women’s empowerment, innovation and security cooperation
By DANJUMA AMODU
The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria through expanded state-level cooperation, following a three-day working visit to Kwara State by the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever OBE.
The visit, held from 11 to 13 May 2026, underscored the UK’s growing focus on sub-national engagement aimed at driving economic growth, social development, innovation, and governance reforms across Nigerian states.
During the visit, Lever met with Kwara State Governor and Chair of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and First Lady Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq. Discussions focused on deepening economic cooperation, job creation, and strengthening institutional reforms to support sustainable development.
The Deputy High Commissioner also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and held engagements with civil society organisations, religious leaders, and young entrepreneurs, reflecting a broad-based approach to partnership at the community level.
A key highlight was the UK’s renewed emphasis on expanding trade and investment ties through initiatives such as the Manufacturing Africa programme. The programme is already supporting two Kwara-based firms—Bespoke Design Concepts and Bacita Sugar Company—to improve production capacity, attract investment, and create jobs.
Lever also highlighted the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which provides duty-free or reduced-tariff access to the UK market for approximately 3,000 Nigerian products. These include agricultural commodities such as shea, cashew, and sesame, which have strong export potential in Kwara State. She encouraged greater awareness and participation among local producers, cooperatives, and exporters to benefit fully from the trade framework.
A central component of the visit was an engagement with First Lady Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq on women’s economic empowerment, gender inclusion in governance, and efforts to combat violence against women and girls.
“Kwara State stands out as a model for gender inclusion and innovation, showing what is possible when leadership prioritises women’s participation and youth opportunity.”
— Gill Lever OBE, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria
The UK reaffirmed its continued support for the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum, which has received technical and financial backing for four consecutive years to strengthen advocacy and response systems on gender-based violence.
Lever visited key protection facilities in Ilorin, including the Olufolake Safe Haven and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre at Sobi Specialist Hospital, where she received briefings on survivor-centred services and coordinated response mechanisms.
Kwara State was cited as a notable example of progress in gender inclusion. The state has moved from having no elected female legislators in 2019 to multiple women serving in the State House of Assembly by 2023, alongside strong female representation in the executive council. Governor AbdulRazaq was also recognised as a HeForShe Ambassador in 2024 for his advocacy on gender equality.
At the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Lever engaged with young innovators, particularly women-led tech entrepreneurs, and reaffirmed UK support for Nigeria’s growing digital economy. She announced plans to support Kwara innovators’ participation in London Tech Week 2026, providing access to international networks, investors, and technology markets.
The Deputy High Commissioner also met with Kwara State Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo to discuss security trends and reinforce UK support for preventive policing, institutional capacity building, and broader security cooperation. The UK reiterated that security collaboration, including counter-terrorism and counter-drone capabilities, remains a core pillar of the bilateral relationship.
The visit built on momentum from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom in March 2026, the first in 37 years, which produced agreements including a £746 million ports investment deal and expanded security cooperation.
UK officials said the Kwara engagement reflects a shift toward deeper partnerships beyond federal-level diplomacy, focusing on direct engagement with states to deliver practical development outcomes. Bilateral trade reached a record £8.1 billion in 2025, underscoring growing economic ties and expanding opportunities in trade, investment, and innovation.
The UK also highlighted ongoing support through the Digital Access Programme, which has delivered community connectivity hubs in Nigeria, including in Kwara State, to expand digital inclusion and access to economic opportunities.
The visit concluded with renewed commitments to strengthen UK-Nigeria cooperation at both state and federal levels, with emphasis on inclusive economic growth, women’s empowerment, digital innovation, and security collaboration. Officials from both sides described the engagement as a model for sub-national diplomacy, positioning Kwara State as an emerging hub for innovation, investment, and inclusive development within Nigeria’s broader growth agenda.
