Abuja, August 29, 2024 — Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner, has concluded a pivotal visit to Abia State, aimed at exploring and enhancing economic partnerships between the UK and the state government. The visit, which took place between August 20 and 21, saw Montgomery engage in high-level discussions with Governor Alex Otti, government stakeholders, and business leaders in Umuahia, the state capital.

In a statement released on Thursday, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer at the British High Commission, emphasized the significance of the visit in fostering economic ties. “The high commissioner considered visiting Abia for the first time as a great opportunity to engage and interact with key stakeholders,” Akande-Alegbe said. She further noted that the visit was part of the UK’s broader commitment to driving economic growth and prosperity in Nigeria.

During his stay, Montgomery and Governor Otti explored various opportunities for collaboration that could be mutually beneficial for Abia State and the UK. The discussions focused on areas of economic potential and partnership, underscoring the UK’s intent to strengthen its relationship with both the state government and the people of Abia.

A key highlight of the visit was the attendance of both Montgomery and Otti at the graduation ceremony of the State-Level Inclusive Digital Transformation Programme. This initiative, funded through the UK’s Digital Access Programme (DAP), aims to bridge the digital skills gap by providing essential digital training to the state’s civil servants.

Montgomery’s itinerary also included visits to several significant sites, including the Geometric Power Company, the Abia Innovation Industrial Park, and the Aba Chamber of Commerce. He toured an industrial fair featuring small and medium-sized manufacturers and engaged in discussions about potential growth and partnership opportunities with UK businesses.

The high commissioner’s visit was seen as a strategic move to seek insights and advice on advancing UK investment in Abia State. Mark Smithson, the UK’s Country Director for the Department for Business and Trade, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “We look forward to building on discussions we had, strengthening our ties, and exploring areas of collaboration and partnerships to boost trade and deliver prosperity to both our countries,” Smithson said.

The visit reflects a growing interest from the UK in deepening its economic engagement with Nigeria, with a focus on leveraging opportunities for mutual benefit and supporting regional development initiatives.