President Muhammadu Buhari will embark on a six-day trip to London on Friday (today) according to the State House.
He is to participate in the inaugural UK-Africa Investment Summit, while in London.
The summit itself opens on Monday, January 20, but Buhari jets out of Abuja today.
Buhari is expected back in Nigeria on Thursday, next week.
It will be his first foreign trip this new year.
The Presidency, in a statement by Mr Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, explained that British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, would play host to the summit.
African leaders, business owners and heads of international organisations are billed to be in London for the summit to engage in discussions “to create new partnerships that will deliver more investments and jobs.”
The UK and Africa are expected to benefit from the outcomes of the talks.
It explained further, “Apart from highlighting new perspectives on UK-Africa Partnership for Prosperity, issues of Sustainable Finance and Infrastructure; Trade and Investment; Future African Growth Sectors and Clean Energy and Climate, are expected to dominate presentations and discussions during the Summit.
“With the expected take-off of African Continental Free Trade Area in mid-2020, the London investment summit will provide Nigeria with the opportunity to project itself as a leading investment destination for new industries.
“In addition, the summit will deepen Nigeria-United Kingdom investment ties post-Brexit given that Africa currently represents just two per cent of British trade activity, with Nigeria accounting for only 10 per cent of that total.
“The Nigerian delegation to the investment meeting will further showcase what the Federal Government has done through policies and legislation to improve the investment and business climate in the country.”
Other engagements of Buhari while in London include holding meetings “with the Head of the Commonwealth, Prince Charles in Glasgow, Scotland”, and bilateral talks Johnson “as well as heads of multilateral organisations”.
The Presidency listed those to be on Buhari’s entourage as Governors Yahaya Bello, Muhammad Inuwa and Okezie Ikpeazu of Kogi, Gombe and Abia States respectively.
“Also on the presidential entourage are Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Niyi Adebayo; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed; National Security Adviser, Mr Babagana Monguno; and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Mr Ahmed Rufai Abubakar,” the statement added.
Punch
