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• Says subsidy removal good for investment
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has lauded the economic decisions taken by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration saying they are important and being noticed around the world.
The envoy told State House Correspondents after meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima that fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate reforms all create a much better investment environment in the country.
He said British businesses in finance, banking and investment sectors are “all responding very positively to these first decisions.”
He, however, acknowledged that the reforms have subjected Nigerians to tough times, especially with inflation and unemployment.
“The vice president and I also touched on some of the measures that might be possible to cushion the blow of some of these economic pressures. But I think the big issue is that these reforms help put Nigeria on a higher growth path; they will attract more investments and the United Kingdom and the city of London see Nigeria as a big opportunity going forward. I will be doing my part to try to boost those, enhance trade and investment.”
Speaking on students’ visas concerns, the British envoy said the issue was not raised during the meeting. She,however, clarified that Nigerians continue to enjoy visa issuance from the UK government.
“Last year for example, the UK granted 3 million new visas of which 325,000 of those visas were between Nigeria and UK. So, Nigerian visitors constitute over 10 per cent of the people coming to London and the UK. On the issue of students’ visas, I will also like to provide the context: the number of Nigerian students coming to the UK has increases fivefold in the last three years, it is a fantastic success story for our universities and we are really delighted that so many Nigerians are coming to the UK. “
He, however, said the restrictions of bringing dependents, did not only apply to Nigerians, but many parts of the world. Montgomery said the meeting with the Vice President also focused on boosting partnership between Nigeria and UK.
