UK Government Pledges Continued Commitment To Nigeria’s Armed Forces

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has revealed details about the United Kingdom government's pledge to support Nigeria in its efforts to end insecurity, noting how both countries share "similar principles."

"We have very long-standing defense engagements and many of our high commands. They are organized on similar principles," Montgomery said during his visit to Abuja, Punch reported Sunday.

The British high commissioner went on to say that both countries share "very warm defense relations and in the past two, three decades" and the U.K. has really been "conscious of Nigeria as one of the biggest contributors of peace-keeping forces, its role in ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), as well as the AU (African Union)."

The high commissioner also praised the role of the Nigerian armed forces in mobilizing other countries in the region.

Montgomery also revealed that the British government was working in collaboration with the Nigerian government on the Multinational Joint Task Force.

"In relation to the present instability and terrorism in the North-east. Our main collaboration is with Nigeria as part of the Multinational Joint Task Force. That obviously involves the government of Cameroon, and Niger but Nigeria is by far the biggest player; it is by far the biggest arms service provider."

He went on to share that the U.K. government tried to provide support "where possible to that multinational joint task force trying to stabilize the Lake Chad basin" adding "in relation to the bilateral defense engagement, at the moment, we have a British military adviser in a training team well established in this country for decades."

The high commissioner noted that the British military adviser in Nigeria has always tried to evolve its relationship with the Nigerian armed forces "depending on what the priorities are."

The official also recalled a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2020 by both nations that helped them share information and training, whenever necessary.

"This is quite a broad umbrella that provides the platform for our various agencies to work together. It is not just the armed forces, it also involves crime agencies," he said, adding that "Security and Defence Partnership is a strategic umbrella, it enlists the areas where we are collaborating."

Montgomery disclosed the U.K. will be sending "British trainers to spend time with Nigerian Army personnel before they are posted to the North East on issues like how do you deal with an Improvised Explosive Device."

Aside from armed forces, Montgomery also addressed U.K.'s decision to ban Nigerian students from bringing their families to the country.

"Last year, for example, the UK granted three million new visas, of which 325,000 were Nigerians. So, Nigerian visitors constitute over 10% of the people coming to London and the UK," he explained, Erudera reported.

He went on to explain that due to the large number of students coming to U.K. universities, services like accommodation to international students' families have become difficult.