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Tag: UK

  • Chevening: UK sponsored over 1,500 Nigerians — Envoy

    Chevening: UK sponsored over 1,500 Nigerians — Envoy

    Johnny Baxter, British Deputy High Commissioner, says in the last 40 years, over 1,500 Nigerians have received the United Kingdom Government’s Chevening scholarship and 3,400 Nigerians have benefitted from Commonwealth scholarships.

    Baxter noted that,  in 2023, Nigerians were the second largest group of international students in the United Kingdom, adding that, for a long time, Nigeria had been in the top three position with China and India.

    He made this known while making remarks on Thursday at a panel discussion organised by the British Deputy High Commission in collaboration with the University of Lagos.

    This event, in commemoration of the International Day of Education 2025, had the theme, “Leveraging UK-Nigeria Educational Partnerships for Economic Growth.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Day of Education is marked annually on Jan. 24 in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.

    The envoy said for many years, education had been one of the most significant towers connecting both countries, adding that it remained a key priority for the United Kingdom.

    “What is so important is that we have students bringing their expertise into the UK system and vice-versa, but at the end, we have students with international experience coming back to contribute to Nigeria.

    “Between 2017 and 2021, the number of Nigerian students in the UK rose from about 10,000 to now over 44,000, and that is a fantastic success.”

    According to Baxter, education should be a global exchange as it is a privilege and luxury  to study and make the best of it.

    Speaking during the panel session, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), University of Lagos, Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, urged students to embrace opportunities for growth.

    According to her, to remain valuable, students should be willing to learn vastly, have  excellence-driven mindsets and take advantage of opportunities to develop nonlinear skills.

    “We should particularly network often and learn to value other people because you never can tell when you will need them.”

    Also, Toki Mabogunje, Vice-Chair, Africa, International Chamber of Commerce  World Chambers Federation, highlighted the benefits of studying in the United Kingdom and how it prepared students for global opportunities.

    She said  schooling in the United Kingdom had enabled many to step up and speak out as well as  hear different perspectives and  be more inclusive, tolerant and confident.

    She said that studying in the United Kingdom  made her more valuable in the job market.

    Mabogunje urged academic institutions to make learning more exciting and create  a more nurturing environment for students.

  • UK reaffirms strong defence ties with Nigeria

    UK reaffirms strong defence ties with Nigeria

    The UK Minister of State for Defence, Lord Vernon Coaker has reaffirmed the longstanding defence partnership between his country and Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and counter insurgency opration in the North-East.

    Coaker, who is on a working visit to Nigeria, stated this at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

    The minister accompanied by other senior officials of the UK government, highlited the importance of the bilateral relationship between the two nations to address security challenges.

    “The presence of the Honour Guard was a moving experience, symbolising the respect and partnership between the Nigerian and British militaries.

    “His Majesty’s Government recognises Nigeria as a key ally and a leader in West Africa. Together, we stand for democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” Coaker said.

    The minister reiterated the UK government commitment to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and shared impact of global security challenges.

    “Your conflict is our conflict and your security is our security. The work you are doing to combat terrorism, particularly through initiatives like Operation Hadin Kai, is commendable.

    “We are proud to provide training, expertise and equipment to support your efforts,” he said.

    Lord Coaker listed the UK’s contributions to Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations to include counter improvised explosive devices training, provision of equipment, and mentorship for the establishment of the Counter-IED Coordination Cell in the North-East.

    Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, the Theatre Commander of the OPHK, commended the UK  for its sustained support in combating insurgency in the region.

    He described the visit as a testament to the longstanding cordial relationship between Nigeria and the UK.

    “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Lord Vernon Coaker and his distinguished entourage to Maiduguri, the ‘Home of Peace,’ which also hosts the Headquarters of JTF (NE) OPHK.

    “This visit validates the strong partnership between our nations” .

    Shaibu said the mandate of the task force was to restore normalcy to the region, provide enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive, as well as resettlement of displaced persons to their ancestral homes.

    He noted that the fulfilment of the task force mandate required not only material resources but also regular training and retraining of troops to keep them updated on evolving security challenges.

    The commander lauded the establishment of the Counter-IED Coordination Cell, supported by the UK, which  became a hub for intelligence gathering and dismantling insurgent IED networks.

    “This hub, equipped with detection tools, laptops, tactical intelligence kits, and other resources, has been vital in detecting, neutralising, and disarming IEDs effectively,” he said.

    Shaibu also commended the Instructor Development Programme being implemented in collaboration with BDS-WA, to fast track training of personnel from Nigeria and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

    “The programme fosters synergy and camaraderie among troops from the Lake Chad Basin countries, strengthening regional cooperation,” he said, adding that the UK government’s timely and relevant support were imperative towards achieving the task force mandate.

  • UK ‘s new visa waiver entry system begins today

    UK ‘s new visa waiver entry system begins today

    The UK’s new visa-waiver entry system took effect on Wednesday for passengers from dozens more countries, including millions of annual visitors from the United States, Canada and Australia.

    The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme — similar to the ESTA system in the United States — requires visitors who do not need a visa to enter Britain to acquire pre-travel authorisation.

    Costing £10 ($12.50) and allowing stays of up to six months at a time over two years, it first launched in 2023, with Qatar, before being extended last year to five regional Gulf neighbours.

    Now, it has been expanded to include citizens of around 50 more countries and territories, from Argentina, Brazil and New Zealand to Japan, South Korea and Caribbean nations.

    With the system kicking in for them on Wednesday, they have been able to apply since last November.

    The scheme, aimed at tightening border security, will next be extended to dozens of EU and European countries and territories on April 2.

    Citizens covered by the scheme will be able to apply for the new ETA — which is digitally linked to the traveller’s passport — via an app, from March 5.

    Around six million people from the US, Canada and Australia visit Britain each year, according to the UK government.

    Eligible travellers will need one even if they are just using the UK to connect to an onward flight abroad. ETA also applies to children and babies.

    London’s Heathrow Airport has opposed the scheme, saying its rollout has reduced the number of passengers transiting through the UK, and that it makes the country “less competitive” and harms economic growth.

    The new requirement does not apply to British and Irish citizens, those with passports from British overseas territories and legal UK residents.

    It does not change the requirements for citizens of countries who need a visa to visit Britain, such as Chinese, Ecuadorian and South African travellers.

    Previously, most visitors not requiring a visa could arrive at a British airport and proceed through immigration control with their passport.

    The new UK entry scheme mirrors the imminent ETIAS scheme for visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 European countries, including France and Germany, which will cost seven euros ($7.40) and last three years.

    The European Commission expects the system — which will apply to around 60 countries, including the US, Canada, Brazil and the UK — to become operational in the middle of this year.

  • Syria’s First Lady: London born, Asma Al-Assad may not be welcome in UK

    Syria’s First Lady: London born, Asma Al-Assad may not be welcome in UK

    Once celebrated as an advocate of women’s rights in the Middle East, Syria’s British-born former first lady Asma al-Assad has fled into exile with her husband, with UK officials saying she is not welcome to return to London.

    Asma al-Assad, 49, her husband and three children have sought refuge in Moscow after rebels ousted Bashar al-Assad from power, according to Russian state news agencies, although the Kremlin has not confirmed the reports.

    It is just the latest blow to the shredded reputation of a woman whose glamour and charm had been seen in the past as a key asset to the Syrian government.

    Asma al-Assad was born in London in 1975 and has spent half her life in the UK, with her parents still living in the west of the capital city.

    She retains British citizenship, but foreign minister David Lammy said Monday that she was no longer welcome in the country, suggesting she may soon lose her UK passport.

    “I’ve seen mentioned in the last few days, Asma Assad (is) potentially someone with UK citizenship that might attempt to come into our country, and I want it confirmed that she’s a sanctioned individual and is not welcome here in the UK,” he told parliament.

    Asma al-Assad had her UK assets frozen in March 2012 amid growing protests against her husband’s rule, as part of a European sanction programme that London maintained after Brexit.

    The UK has previously stripped citizens of their nationality for joining the Islamic State group, Bader Mousa Al-Saif, researcher at the Chatham House think tank, told AFP.

    “If that could be happening to an unknown in an extremist camp, I think the same, if not more, warrants for the case of Asma al-Assad,” he added.

  • UK commits to efficient visa services for Nigerians

    UK commits to efficient visa services for Nigerians

    The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering strong relationships and ensuring efficient, customer-focused visa services to Nigerians.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Onyinye Madu, Senior Communications Officer at the British High Commission on Thursday in Abuja.

    Madu said the commitment was made during the visit of Marc Owen, Director of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), to Nigeria,  one of the UK’s largest visa markets.

    Owen met with key stakeholders in Abuja and Lagos to discuss UK visa developments, including the global eVisa rollout and maintaining the integrity of the UK’s immigration system.

    He emphasised the benefits of digitising records, such as birth and death certificates, and enhancing how records are stored, transmitted, and verified.

    During his visit, Owen also toured the English language test centre at the British Council office and engaged with student councillors and UK university agents.

    In Lagos, he met with stakeholders from the UK Joint Border Task Force (JBTF) and key business leaders, and visited the newly inaugurated UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Ikeja.

    Owen cautioned visa applicants to be vigilant and reiterated the importance of using only official UKVI channels when applying for UK visas to prevent visa fraud and fake travel agents.

    His visit marks a new chapter in UK-Nigeria collaboration, with promises of greater engagement and impactful outcomes.

  • UK, Italy, Turkey, Qatar-bound cocaine, meth consignments intercepted in Lagos, Abuja

    . .how NDLEA nabbed masterminds at MMIA, Abuja hotel; foils bid to smuggle opioids into Lagos from Ghana

    Attempts by drug syndicates to export large consignments of cocaine, methamphetamine and opioids through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja to the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey and Qatar have been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, who in series of intelligence led operations recovered the illicit drugs and arrested the masterminds.

    A total of 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.40kg cocaine going to the United Kingdom via Frankfurt on a Lufthansa Airlines flight were intercepted by NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport on 5th November 2024 while a businessman linked to the consignment, Ekeocha Anayo Nelson, was tracked and arrested on 8th November.

    The bid by another businessman, Adegbite Solomon (aka Obama) to export 7,800 pills of tramadol, 180 tablets of rohypnol, and 60 bottles of codeine to Italy was also foiled at the departure hall of the Lagos airport on Monday 11th November when NDLEA operatives arrested him after recovering the opioids concealed in food and other items while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Italy. He claimed to have travelled to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea and earned a living as a street beggar before delving into logistics business.

    Also related is the arrest of another businessman, Anoke Kingsley Roomy with 1,100 pills of tramadol 225mg hidden in his luggage while attempting to board his Ethiopian Airlines flight going to Istanbul, Turkey at the terminal 1 of the Lagos airport on Friday 15th November.

    Following credible intelligence, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, and their counterparts from the FCT Command of the Agency on Friday 15th November raided a hotel room at the Federal Housing Authority estate, Lugbe, Abuja, where they arrested two suspects: Omeh Uchenna Jude, 36, and Anene Valentine Chigozie, 34. Recovered from them was 1.8kg methamphetamine, which they were preparing to travel with to Qatar.

    Another suspect, Akande Moruf Olasunkanmi, was arrested with 1.8kg methamphetamine by operatives of a Special Operations Unit in NDLEA at his 9 Durojaiye street, Lawanson area of Surulere, Lagos home after weeks of intelligence and surveillance.

    In another intelligence led operation, officers of an NDLEA task force on Saturday 16th November foiled the attempt by a trans-border trafficker, Emmanuel Okechukwu Okeke to smuggle 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg from Ghana into Lagos.

    The pills were concealed in the body compartments of a Toyota Hummer Bus belonging to GUO Transport Company, driven by the suspect.

    The vehicle was intercepted at Ijanikin area of the Lagos-Badagry expressway while coming from Ghana.
    In Edo state, not less than 997kg cannabis was recovered during raids in parts of the state.

    While 680kg cannabis and a Sienna bus marked FST-320 AE were seized at a bush path to Oghada forest in Oghada, Orhionmwan LGA, 180.5kg of same substance was recovered from a suspect, Cecilia Ibe, 31, at Ofosu forest, Ovia South West LGA and 136.5kg evacuated from a building in Otuo community, Owan East LGA on Thursday 14th November.

    A suspect, Ifejimagha Chinonso was on Wednesday 13th November nabbed with 88.3kg cannabis by NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway while personnel of Kano Command of the Agency on Friday 15th November arrested Ahmed Goni, 30, at Gadar Tamburawa, Kano- Zaria road where they recovered from him 65,730 capsules of tramadol.
    In Kwara state, NDLEA operatives arrested a suspect Adio Sulaiman with 120.8kg cannabis and some litres of codeine at Gaa Odota in Ilorin West LGA, while Kelechi Obichere, 42, was nabbed with 75kg cannabis at Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, Imo state on Thursday 14th November. A total of 563.74 kilograms of same psychoactive substance were recovered from a 60-year-old suspect Anthony Anakabi, following his arrest at Iyalode, Iyana church area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

    With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

    These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Government Day Secondary School, Bazza, Adamawa; Community Secondary School, Ogan-Ama, Rivers state; NKST Secondary School, Adikpo, Benue state; Government Secondary School, Tambuwal, Sokoto state; Government Girls Secondary School, Kunchi, Kano; Ebele Chu Group of Schools, Nkpor Onitsha, Anambra; and Army Cantonment Senior Boys High School, Ojo, Lagos state, among others.
    While commending the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, DI, Oyo, Lagos, Imo, Kwara, Kano, and Edo Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

  • UK slams Russia with heavy sanction over war in Ukraine

    UK slams Russia with heavy sanction over war in Ukraine

    The British government said on Thursday it had imposed its biggest sanctions package against Russia for 18 months, targeting people involved in the Ukraine war, African mercenary groups, and a nerve agent attack on British soil.

    The foreign ministry said it had sanctioned 56 bodies and individuals, aiming to hurt Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war effort and Russia’s “malign activity globally”.

    Among them were 10 entities based in China said to be supplying machinery and components for the Russian military.

    “Today’s measures will continue to push back on the Kremlin’s corrosive foreign policy, undermining Russia’s attempts to foster instability across Africa and disrupting the supply of vital equipment for Putin’s war machine,” British foreign minister David Lammy said.

    The Russian embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.

    Most of the measures were aimed at companies based in Russia, China, Turkey, and Kazakhstan accused of aiding the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the supply of machine tools, microelectronics, and components for drones.

    They include firms that European intelligence sources believe to be part of a Russian attempt to establish a weapons programme in China, according to a Reuters report in September.

    Britain also said the latest sanctions would address Russian activity in Libya, Mali, and the Central African Republic by targeting three private mercenary groups with links to the Kremlin, including the Kremlin-controlled Africa Corps, and 11 individuals.

    Amongst the individuals sanctioned was Denis Sergeev, whom British police have charged over the murder attempt on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the southern English city of Salisbury in March 2018.

    Sergeev, who Britain said was acting under the alias Sergey Fedotov, was one of three Russians said by Britain to have been GRU military intelligence officers suspected of carrying out the attack.

    Last month, a public inquiry into the death of a woman who was accidentally poisoned by the nerve agent heard that Skripal believed Putin himself had ordered the Novichok attack.

    Moscow has repeatedly rejected British accusations that it was involved.

  • Contributions of Nigerians to UK’s devt immeasurable – Envoy

    Contributions of Nigerians to UK’s devt immeasurable – Envoy

    Dr Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner in Nigeria says people of Nigerian descent have contributed immeasurably to the development of the UK.

    Montgomery said Nigerian businesses, art, and political leaders had contributed immensely to the UK.

    He said this on Wednesday night in Abuja, at a reception held to mark the 76th birthday anniversary of the British monarch, King Charles III.

    King Charles was crowned king of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms on May 6, 2023.

    The British envoy said the monarch’s birthday party was an opportunity to celebrate his life and contributions.

    He said the occasion was an opportunity to celebrate the breadth and depth of bilateral relations and look forward to a bright, confident future for both countries.

    According to him, the friendship with Nigeria is underpinned by shared history and values, Commonwealth membership, and strong people-to-people ties.

    “Tonight, we celebrate His Majesty, King Charles III on his 76th birthday – his second birthday party since his coronation in 2023.

    “The British High Commission in Abuja thanks our stakeholders, partners, and friends for the work done together.

    “We look forward to strengthening and deepening our partnerships further.

    “Our commitment to support Nigeria is evidenced in the recent visit of our Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, to Nigeria which was his first visit to Africa since taking office in July,” he said.

    He said that during Lammy’s visit, both countries signed a strategic partnership to strengthen their bilateral relations.

    Montgomery said that the King’s birthday was Nov. 14, but was officially celebrated on June 17 when the King’s birthday parade, known as “Trooping The Colour” was held in London.

    “This year, for our celebrations in Abuja, we are highlighting the UK/Nigeria partnership across many areas of close collaboration, from trade to security.

    “We are also highlighting this relationship through our flagship soft-power campaign, “Jollof and Tea”, which aims to celebrate the strong links between the UK and Nigeria.

    “The campaign cuts across a range of cultural areas, such as music, sports, art, literature, food, fashion, education,” he said.

    The envoy said that the relationship between King Charles and Nigeria had been long enduring, adding that the monarch had made four visits to Nigeria between 1990 and 2018.

    He said King Charles also met with President Bola Tinubu at the Buckingham Palace in September – a development that testified to the close ties between Nigeria and the UK.

  • Sunday Igboho: Embittered FG summons UK envoy over petition to PM on Yoruba Nation

    Sunday Igboho: Embittered FG summons UK envoy over petition to PM on Yoruba Nation

    Angry Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has invited the British High Commissioner in Abuja over a petition submitted by Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho (Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo), at 10 Downing Street, London.

    This is just as the British Parliament on Tuesday archived the petition sent by the Yoruba agitator.

    The development was confirmed in a statement signed by Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

    During the meeting, the High Commissioner acknowledged the petition’s submission but pointed out that media reports on the matter have been largely misleading. While confirming the letter’s delivery, he clarified that it was part of a routine process that allows individuals to submit petitions at 10 Downing Street. The petition, however, was neither endorsed by the UK government nor the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee. UK Government’s Position on Nigerian Affairs Reaffirming the UK’s stance, the High Commissioner emphasized that the UK government does not interfere in the sovereign affairs of other nations, including Nigeria. He also mentioned that similar petitions in the past had been rejected by both the UK government and its Parliamentary Petitions Committee

    The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to continue discussions as necessary to address any concerns related to the petition.

  • Yoruba nation: UK Govt didn’t endorse Sunday Igboho’s petition – FG

    Yoruba nation: UK Govt didn’t endorse Sunday Igboho’s petition – FG

    The Federal Government on Tuesday stated that the petition by Mr Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as “Sunday Igboho” calling for the UK to consider the ‘Yoruba Nation’ Agitation was not endorsed by the UK government.

    Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

    “Following media reports on the petition submitted at No. 10 Downing Street by Mr Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, the British High Commissioner in Abuja was invited to shed light on the issue.

    “During the meeting , the High Commissioner noted with concern that the matter was over blown, indicating that the media reports were highly misleading.

    “Furthermore, the High Commissioner informed that he was aware of the letter being delivered but added that it was merely an established practice of allowing the delivery of letters and petitions to No 10.

    “It was not endorsed by any agency of the UK government nor the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee.

    “The UK government typically does not concern itself with petitions concerning the sovereign affairs of another country,” Abu-Obe said.

    He quoted the high commissioner to have informed that such petitions had been rejected by the UK Parliamentary Petitions Committee and the UK Government in the past.

    He further agreed to continue liaising with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as needed, while reiterating the importance of the bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.