African nations have received more than £300 million investment from UK for various programmes and peacekeeping in other to boost African stability and security.
Baroness Lucy Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, Minister of State in the UK Cabinet Office, recently visited Nigeria to reinforce the UK-Nigeria partnership and reaffirmed UK’s effort to ensuring the security of the wider region. During her visit, she witnessed firsthand the impact of the funding in Nigeria and the collaborative efforts in addressing shared security challenges, particularly the threat of cyber-attacks.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe stated, “The United Kingdom and Nigeria are firm security and economic partners. I am proud that, through the CSSF, the UK has been able to play such a valuable role in bolstering Nigeria’s security.”
The investment encompasses various areas, including supporting Nigeria’s security with over £15 million, resulting in significant achievements such as the detection and seizure of illegal drugs, benefitting both Nigerian and British nationals.
Additionally, UK funding has facilitated the resettlement of over 500 individuals fleeing violent groups in North Eastern Nigeria, providing essential support such as vocational training, counseling, and literacy lessons.
The collaboration between the UK and Nigeria extends beyond national borders, addressing regional threats to stability such as the violence perpetrated by extremist groups in the Lake Chad Basin. With almost 11 million people affected by this violence across Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, the support provided by the UK to UN efforts is deemed vital in stabilizing affected communities.
Dr. Richard Montgomery, British High Commission to Nigeria, expressed delight in the strengthening UK-Nigeria partnership, particularly in addressing security and stability issues. He emphasized the UK’s commitment to stand with Nigeria in tackling mutual challenges, including cyber threats, serious organized crime, and violent extremism.
Through contributions to operations such as the Africa Joint Operations Against Cybercrime and capacity-building initiatives for law enforcement agencies and judicial systems, the UK aims to enhance capabilities in combating cyber threats.
Looking ahead, the UK plans to integrate overseas and UK security efforts further to tackle transnational challenges like smuggling, illicit finances, and large-scale migration.
