The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to development and reform efforts in northern Nigeria following high-level engagements with Kano and Jigawa states.
Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission in Abuja, Ms. Cynthia Rowe, concluded the visits after meeting with governors, senior government officials and civil society leaders in both states.
According to the British High Commission, the engagements underscored the UK’s renewed approach to development partnership with Nigeria, focusing on state-led reforms, sustainable growth, investment, climate financing, technical assistance and shared accountability.
The Commission noted that Nigeria remains one of the UK’s most important development partners, with both countries continuing to strengthen bilateral relations following the recent UK-Nigeria State Visit.
In Kano State, Rowe met with Deputy Governor Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo and other senior government officials, including the newly confirmed Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the State Government.
The discussions highlighted Kano’s progress in climate finance, health sector reforms and private sector investment initiatives supported through UK technical assistance programmes.
In Jigawa State, Rowe held talks with Governor Umar Namadi and heads of key ministries, departments and agencies.
The meeting also celebrated more than 25 years of development partnership between the UK and Jigawa State, regarded as one of the longest-standing bilateral development relationships at the subnational level in Nigeria.
Discussions focused on ongoing reforms in health systems, agriculture, governance and continued UK support through technical assistance programmes.
The British High Commission also highlighted the impact of its PLANE education programme, which has supported Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa states since 2022 in strengthening education delivery systems through Ministries of Education, State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) and other agencies.
According to the Commission, the programme’s RANA+ foundational learning packages have reached about 1.4 million pupils across the three states.
Speaking at the end of the visit, Cynthia Rowe said the UK remained committed to supporting stronger health systems, improved learning outcomes, agricultural development and investment growth across Nigeria.
“For more than 25 years, we have worked side by side with state governments including Jigawa and Kano states, their communities, and civil society to build stronger health systems, improve learning outcomes for millions of children, support farmers to grow their businesses, and help states attract the investment they need to thrive,” she said.
She added that the engagements reinforced confidence in the partnership between the UK and Nigeria and the shared ambition to drive sustainable development and economic growth.
Reporting By Chioma Ezike