By Adedapo Adesanya

The United Kingdom and Nigeria have launched a £15 million growth programme aimed at unlocking investment and accelerating economic transformation as both nations deepen their partnership.

This was announced as the UK Minister for Africa and International Development, Ms Jenny Chapman, concluded a two-day visit to Nigeria, during which she announced the new £15 million Growth Programme, deepened cooperation on digital transformation and health, and visited communities benefiting directly from UK investment on the ground.

The visit, spanning Abuja and Kaduna, underscored the breadth and depth of the UK–Nigeria Strategic Partnership and marked a significant step towards both countries’ shared priorities.

According to a statement, the centrepiece was the meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele. During their meeting, they discussed the new UK–Nigeria Growth Programme.

Over three years, it will accelerate economic transformation, unlock private investment and support Nigeria’s transition from macroeconomic stabilisation to sustained, reform-led growth. Alongside the Growth Programme, the UK announced deeper collaboration on Nigeria’s digital economy through the SPRIRET initiative, delivered under the UK’s Digital Access Programme. SPRIRET will support digital governance reforms across five Nigerian states, reducing regulatory barriers and enabling greater investment and innovation in broadband, digital services and emerging technology.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr Oyedele said, “We continue to value the UK–Nigeria relationship, one of the most important partnerships for both our countries. Today, that relationship extends beyond traditional ties and now focuses on development, growth, and shared prosperity.

“The UK–Nigeria Growth Programme helps bring this partnership to life—supporting capital market development, technology investment, small businesses, and technical assistance. We look forward to seeing how these opportunities deliver lasting benefits and drive progress for both countries.”

During the visit, Ms Chapman met with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole and discussions covered progress under the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), including boosting exports via the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, fintech and capital markets links.

In Kaduna, she met with Governor Uba Sani to take stock of over 20 years of UK–Kaduna partnership and explore how cooperation can deepen shared priorities.

She also heard from the business community and key institutional investors about their investment aspirations and the role of the UK in supporting investment mobilisation and enabling climate finance, and met with community animal health workers and livestock breeders to discuss the UK’s support on breeding techniques, animal health and livestock vaccines.

The UK minister also visited Unguwan Sanusi Primary Health Care Centre, which serves approximately 20,000 people in Kaduna South, hearing directly from patients and frontline health workers about the impact of UK-supported health programmes.

At the end of the visit, she said, “This visit has reinforced everything I believe about the UK–Nigeria partnership. That it is deep, it is real, and it is moving in the right direction. From launching our new Growth Programme with Honourable Minister Oyedele, to meeting from frontline health workers in Kaduna — every conversation this week has shown me a country full of ambition and a partnership that is genuinely delivering for both sides.

“Nigeria is a partner that the UK is proud to stand alongside and I leave more convinced than ever that the next chapter of this partnership is its most exciting yet. The UK is here for the long term, and we are ready to grow together.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has noted that his reforms have restored investor confidence in the Nigerian economy, marked by growing investments in sectors as diverse as agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation and the creative industries.

In a nationwide Democracy Day broadcast on Friday, he said the reforms pursued by the current administration since its inauguration have restored stability and credibility to economic management.

“Federation revenues have risen, providing states and local governments with more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security,” the president said in his address.

“Fiscal transparency has improved, leakage has been reduced, and public funds are better directed to national priorities,” he added.

The president said upon his assumption of office in May 2023, he implemented an array of reforms aimed at speeding up economic growth and attracting international investors. These include the abolishing of petrol subsidies and unifying the foreign exchange market by collapsing multiple, segmented exchange rate windows.

On security, he threatened bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism, declaring that those who continue to destabilise Nigeria’s peace and security will face the full force of the law.

“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State,” President Tinubu declared.

“These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” he added.

His comments come amid recurring debates over the identity of criminal groups and concerns that insecurity could deepen ethnic divisions in the country.

President Tinubu urged Nigerians to unite against a common enemy.

“We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history,” he declared.

The President expressed confidence that Nigeria would ultimately overcome its security challenges and emerge stronger.

“We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to reject pessimism and embrace a shared vision of progress.

“Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence,” Tinubu said.

“Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.”

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Three suspects are cooling off in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kano for their alleged involvement in bulk cash and mineral resources smuggling.

They were intercepted on Thursday, June 11, 2026, during a routine surveillance operation by the Land and Property Fraud Section of the Kano Zonal Directorate of the agency, following a directive by the chairman that all directorates intensify efforts to tackle smuggling of mineral resources and bulk cash at international airports.

The main suspect, Mr Ali Baffa, who is an Inspector 1 with Aviation Security  (AVSEC), and his accomplices, Mr Aushabu Nasidi and Mr Mukhtar Muhammad Dan Zaria, were apprehended at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

According to a statement from the EFCC, preliminary investigations revealed that Ali Baffa allegedly concealed 22.2 kilograms of unprocessed gold bars estimated at over N4.4 billion in his trousers, with the intent to bypass security checks and hand over the precious minerals to overseas-bound passengers for illegal export out of Nigeria.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Mr Nasidi, who allegedly supplied the gold bars to Baffa. Upon arrest, Mr Nasidi was found in possession of various foreign currencies, including: 3,000 Saudi Riyals, 40,000 Turkish Lira, 199.75 Kuwaiti Dinar, 20,700 Philippine Peso, 80 Australian Dollars, 310 Chinese Renminbi, 4,000 Algerian Dinar, 40 Hong Kong Dollars, 26,000 Hungarian Forint, and 1,000 Sudanese Dinar.

The investigation also led to the arrest of Mr Dan Zaria, who allegedly gave the gold bars to Mr Nasidi.

While being interviewed, Mr Dan Zaria revealed to the commission that he had smuggled an estimated 40.2 kilograms of gold from June 1 to June 11, 2026, using the same modus operandi.

The suspects are expected to be charged in court once investigations into the matter are concluded, the anti-money laundering organisation promised.