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Communique on Nigeria trade mission

Meeting between H.E President Goodluck Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, GCFR, and the RT Hon David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Communique.

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  1. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Rt Hon David Cameron MP, held talks in Lagos on 19 July 2011, during the British Prime Minister’s official trip to Nigeria.

  2. The talks were held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere, and the two leaders welcomed the significant and strategic partnership between Nigeria and the UK. They pledged to deepen the relationship, based on shared language and history, and a commitment to the promotion of common values.

  3. Prime Minister Cameron congratulated President Jonathan on the successful organization of the April general elections, and the enthusiastic turnout during the elections.

  4. On Trade, Investment and Growth, both leaders welcomed the continuing increase in bilateral trade between the UK and Nigeria, which reached £4 billion in 2010. They pledged that:

  5. The UK and Nigeria will double bilateral trade by 2014, and continue to promote trade, investment and technological co-operation;
  6. The UK will use its development assistance to create a positive environment for growth and investment in Nigeria;
  7. The UK and Nigeria will work together to double Nigeria’s power supply by 2015, and, in doing so, create more investment opportunities and support entrepreneurs and small businesses;
  8. The UK will support science and innovation in Nigeria with the establishment of a West Africa Science and Innovation Network, based in Abuja;
  9. Nigeria will continue to work with regional partners towards enhanced regional trade integration, taking note of the steps taken by ECOWAS as a Regional Economic Community of the African Union. The UK will support this work.

  10. On Corruption, Transparency and the Rule of Law, President Jonathan and Prime Minister Cameron agreed that economic growth in Nigeria and across the continent depends on transparent and accountable government, and a commitment to ending corruption. In this regard, Nigeria pledged to step up efforts to stamp out corruption. The UK pledged to increase support to Nigerian anti-corruption agencies to deliver this objective.

  11. Building on Nigeria’s pioneering efforts in the Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative, Nigeria will promote high standards of transparency and accountability in the use of revenue from oil and other natural resources. The UK will provide substantial support on natural resource transparency through its Facility for Oil Sector Transparency Project.

  12. On Security and Organised Crime, the two leaders agreed that an increasingly networked world brought opportunities and risks. They noted that they faced common challenges in terrorism and organized crime and pledged that:

  13. Nigeria and the UK will work together to create a mechanism for the nationals from one country serving prison sentences in the other, to be transferred home to serve out their terms. President Jonathan committed to work with the Nigerian legislature to secure the passage of a Bill on the mutual exchange of foreign national prisoners;
  14. Nigeria will step up efforts to combat international cyber crime, including by signing the Budapest Convention. The UK invited Nigeria to attend the London International Cyber Conference in 2011;
  15. The UK will support Nigeria in stepping up its efforts to combat email fraud;
  16. The UK and Nigeria will step up efforts to work together to combat the threat of terrorism. The UK will provide assistance and expertise to help strengthen and reform Nigeria’s security apparatus and structures, including support for police reform and by helping Nigeria establish a COBR equivalent for use in situations of national emergency.

  17. On Development, the leaders noted Nigeria’s progress in lifting people out of poverty. They expressed their commitment to Nigeria’s sustained economic growth and development, strong democratic base and increasing role as a global economic power.

  18. President Jonathan welcomed the UK’s commitment to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income from 2013, and pledged to step up Nigeria’s efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

  19. The UK and Nigeria agreed to work together to tackle malaria and other diseases, reduce maternal and child mortality and improve education for millions of Nigerians.

  20. On Global Peace and Security, the leaders reviewed the international security situation, and welcomed the collaboration and co-operation between their two countries. Prime Minister Cameron recognized and commended Nigeria’s leading role in peacekeeping in the West African sub-region, and the continent. Prime Minister Cameron took note of Nigeria’s aspirations to permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
Published 20 July 2011