The United Kingdom and Nigeria have launched a £15m Growth Programme aimed at unlocking private investment, accelerating economic transformation and supporting Nigeria’s transition to sustained, reform-driven growth.
The initiative was announced during a two-day visit to Nigeria by Jenny Chapman, who held engagements in Abuja and Kaduna as part of efforts to strengthen the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the British High Commission, “The UK Minister for Africa and International Development, Baroness Jenny Chapman, has concluded a two-day visit to Nigeria, during which she announced a new £15m Growth Programme, deepened cooperation on digital transformation and health, and visited communities benefiting directly from UK investment on the ground.”
The statement disclosed that a major highlight of the visit was Chapman’s meeting with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, where both sides discussed the new programme.
The three-year initiative is designed to deepen economic reforms, attract private-sector capital and drive long-term economic growth. The UK also announced expanded cooperation in Nigeria’s digital economy through the SPRIRET initiative under its Digital Access Programme.
The digital initiative will support governance reforms across five Nigerian states, helping to reduce regulatory barriers and encourage investment in broadband infrastructure, digital services and emerging technologies.
Speaking on the significance of the partnership, Oyedele said the UK-Nigeria relationship has evolved beyond traditional ties to focus on growth, development and shared prosperity.
“The UK-Nigeria Growth Programme helps bring this partnership to life by supporting capital market development, technology investment, small businesses and technical assistance.
“We look forward to seeing these opportunities deliver lasting benefits and drive progress for both countries,” Oyedele was quoted in the statement.
The statement added that Chapman also met with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, to review progress under the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership.
Their discussions focused on increasing exports through the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, strengthening fintech collaboration, and expanding capital market linkages between the two countries.
During her visit to Kaduna, Chapman met with Governor Uba Sani to assess more than two decades of cooperation between the UK and Kaduna State and explore new areas of collaboration.
She also engaged business leaders and institutional investors on investment opportunities, climate finance and economic development.
The minister met community animal health workers and livestock breeders to discuss UK support for improved breeding techniques, animal health services and livestock vaccination programmes.
Chapman further visited Unguwan Sanusi Primary Health Care Centre, which serves about 20,000 residents, where she interacted with patients and frontline health workers to assess the impact of UK-supported healthcare interventions.
Reflecting on her visit, Chapman described the UK-Nigeria partnership as strong and forward-looking.
“From launching our new Growth Programme with Minister Oyedele to meeting frontline health workers in Kaduna, every conversation this week has shown me a country full of ambition and a partnership that is delivering for both sides.
“Nigeria is a partner that the UK is proud to stand alongside. I leave more convinced than ever that the next chapter of this relationship will be its most exciting yet,” she said.
The new programme builds on existing UK investments in Nigeria. British International Investment has invested nearly $800m in sectors including agriculture, renewable energy and manufacturing, while UK Export Finance is supporting the rehabilitation and expansion of Lagos ports through financing valued at about $1bn.
The UK is also an increasingly important destination for Nigerian businesses seeking international expansion. Seven Nigerian banks now operate in the UK, while London continues to play a growing role in helping Nigerian firms access global capital markets, including fintech companies such as LemFi and Moniepoint.
The launch of the Growth Programme builds on the momentum generated by Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK in March 2026 and subsequent engagements at the Global Partnerships Conference, where stakeholders from both countries explored areas of mutual interest and collaboration.