President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has described London as a second home to Nigerians, citing the longstanding historical, cultural and economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Akpabio said both countries should sustain and expand their relationship, particularly through closer legislative cooperation and increased parliamentary exchanges.
He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja when the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Peter Vowles, paid him a courtesy visit at his office.
“The history of Nigeria will not be complete without the United Kingdom. For us in Nigeria, London is like a second home.
“This permeates into the economic sphere and trade, and we would like to deepen the relationship in the area of legislation because we have a lot to learn from you,” Akpabio told the envoy.
The Senate President said the historical relationship between both countries continued to shape their economic and diplomatic engagements, adding that stronger cooperation between the National Assembly and the British Parliament would be beneficial to both sides.
He cited exchanges between members of Nigeria’s National Assembly and the British Parliament, including visits by members of the UK House of Commons to observe Senate proceedings and trips by Nigerian legislative committees to the House of Lords and House of Commons.
Akpabio also praised King Charles III for his hospitality to President Bola Tinubu and members of his delegation during their recent state visit to the United Kingdom.
“The King was very nice to us. He recognises till today the importance of Nigeria, not just in terms of population but the strategic importance of Nigeria to the economy and security of the entire Africa. The ties between Nigeria and the UK must be sustained,” he said.
He called for more exchange programmes to improve knowledge-sharing and strengthen legislative cooperation between the two countries.
“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,” he added.
Beyond parliamentary relations, Akpabio urged British investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria, particularly in the oil and mining sectors.
He assured prospective investors of the potential for profitable ventures, arguing that the Federal Government had taken steps to improve the business environment.
The Senate President cited improvements in the ease of doing business and the ability of foreign investors to repatriate their funds as factors that could encourage investment.
“As you are here now, you will take the message back to your investors in the UK that this is a country that even if you sell sand, you will make a profit,” he told Vowles.
“Anything you invest in Nigeria, you will go back with profits. The investment climate has been made very easy. Ease of doing business and the ability to repatriate your funds.”
Earlier, Vowles said his visit was intended to convey goodwill to the leadership of the Nigerian Parliament and reaffirm the British Government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
He said the UK was keen to build on existing achievements and expand cooperation with both chambers of the National Assembly.
“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,” the envoy said.
He added that the British Government would continue to work with the Nigerian Parliament in areas where UK support and partnership were required.
“We have a long-standing relationship with the National Assembly, both houses. We will continue to partner with you where you require UK support and partnership,” Vowles said.
The meeting highlighted both countries’ stated commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties, expanding parliamentary exchanges and exploring opportunities for greater economic cooperation.
