Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, has expressed the United Kingdom’s desire to form a partnership with Abia State to boost Nigeria’s economic growth.
Montgomery disclosed this while in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, on August 20th and 21st for high-level discussions with the state governor, key government stakeholders, and business leaders.
He stated, “Visiting Abia State for the first time was an excellent opportunity to engage and interact with key stakeholders.”
“Abia state is critical to boosting Nigeria’s economic prosperity, and the UK is committed to accelerating growth.
“We are eager to expand our collaboration with both the state government and the people of Abia State to boost regional prosperity.”
Mark Smithson, the UK’s Country Director for the Department for Business and Trade, stated: “The UK’s Department for Business and Trade in Nigeria is well positioned to support the Abia State government and the private sector in driving trade in the state.
“We look forward to building on our previous discussions, strengthening our ties, and exploring new areas of collaboration and partnership to boost trade and prosperity in both countries.”
During the two-day visit, the High Commissioner met with Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti and discussed opportunities for prosperity and future priorities that could benefit both the state and the UK.
The High Commissioner and the Governor attended the graduation ceremony for the State-Level Inclusive Digital Transformation Programme, which was funded by the UK’s Digital Access Programme (DAP). The program aims to close the digital skills gap by providing relevant and applicable digital skills to the state’s civil servants.
The High Commissioner also paid a visit to the Geometric Power Company, where he met with the team developing the Abia Innovation Industrial Park and the Aba Chamber of Commerce.
He also visited an industrial fair showcasing small and medium-sized manufacturers. The discussions focused on opportunities for growth and, where possible, partnerships with UK businesses. He sought their feedback and advice on efforts to increase UK investment in the state.
Mark Smithson, Country Director for the Department for Business and Trade, and Tom Burge, Political Counsellor at the British High Commission, were among the members of the UK delegation. They also visited the National War Museum in Umuahia, which displays Nigerian history
