The United Kingdom’s partnership with Nigeria could fail to achieve its expected goals unless urgent steps are taken to tackle insecurity, poor governance and the country’s growing humanitarian challenges, UK lawmakers have warned.
The warning was contained in a report by the UK Parliament’s International Development Committee on the development partnership between both countries.
The committee said the strategic agreement, established in 2024, was designed to promote economic growth, strengthen development and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on humanitarian assistance.
However, it identified insecurity, instability, governance problems, humanitarian needs and low investor confidence as major threats to the success of the partnership.
The lawmakers urged the UK Government to develop a broader strategy that would support Nigeria in reducing displacement, insecurity and humanitarian needs.
They also called on the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to establish a clear framework for monitoring how development, humanitarian and peace-building efforts are being implemented in Nigeria.
The committee said Nigeria had the potential to take greater responsibility for addressing its humanitarian challenges but urged the UK Government to provide details of how it was supporting the country towards achieving that goal.
Chair of the committee, Sarah Champion, said the partnership was a major strategic investment for the UK but warned that its success was not guaranteed.
She said British support was expected to help Nigeria modernise its economy, grow its Gross Domestic Product and reduce its reliance on humanitarian aid.
Champion, however, stressed that the UK needed to take a more strategic approach to Nigeria’s needs and those of the wider region.
The committee also highlighted the scale of Nigeria’s humanitarian crisis, noting that a witness who appeared before its inquiry described the situation as a “forgotten crisis.”
It warned that unless the UK adopts a new and more comprehensive approach, the expected mutual benefits of the partnership may remain out of reach.
