The United Kingdom government has officially lifted its travel restrictions on Kaduna State, upgrading it from the “Red” to the “Amber” category in its foreign travel advisory.
Cynthia Rowe, Development Director at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), made this known during the signing of a new Mutual Accountability Framework (KaMAF) with the Kaduna State Government.
Rowe noted that Kaduna had been on the “Red” list since 2022 due to security concerns but said the reclassification reflects “noticeable improvements” in the state.
“This reclassification is recognition of the state government’s efforts to address insecurity, and it sends a positive signal to potential investors,” she said.
The KaMAF agreement was signed by Governor Uba Sani on behalf of Kaduna State and Rowe on behalf of the FCDO. It aims to strengthen cooperation in governance, healthcare, education and agriculture.
Governor Sani said the partnership was already yielding tangible results, including reduced maternal and child mortality, improved healthcare access, upgraded schools and expanded teacher training.
He also disclosed that more than 10 per cent of Kaduna’s 2025 budget had been earmarked to boost crop and livestock productivity.
According to him, reforms such as the Local Government Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (LG-TAS) programme, Issue-Based Projects and Community Development Charters are being implemented to enhance citizen engagement and governance.
“This new phase of partnership will accelerate development and further position Kaduna as an investment-friendly state,” the governor stated, expressing optimism that the framework would consolidate Kaduna’s reputation for resilience and inclusive growth.