Britain’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is expected to hold talks with President Bola Tinubu in the coming weeks on Nigeria’s economic reforms, according to the outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery.
Montgomery disclosed this during a visit to the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, in Abuja. He said the discussion would focus on the Tinubu administration’s monetary, fiscal and tax reforms, which he believes are laying the foundation for long-term economic growth.
The envoy acknowledged that measures such as exchange rate reforms and other economic policies had caused short-term hardship for many Nigerians but argued that they were necessary to stabilise the economy.
He also praised Nigeria’s economic management team for improving public finance management despite the country’s complex fiscal structure, describing their approach as technically sound and politically strategic.
Montgomery noted that other reforms, including changes at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, efforts to attract investment and improvements in Nigeria’s credit ratings, have strengthened confidence in the economy.
He, however, urged the Federal Government to prioritise raising Nigeria’s economic growth rate from about four per cent to seven per cent over the next four years, saying stronger growth would deliver greater benefits to citizens.
Adedeji thanked Montgomery for his support during his diplomatic assignment, saying the United Kingdom’s technical assistance had contributed significantly to the implementation of Nigeria’s economic reforms.
President Tinubu also congratulated Burnham on assuming office as British Prime Minister and expressed Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with his administration to strengthen bilateral relations, deepen economic cooperation and advance shared priorities through both bilateral engagements and the Commonwealth.
