Abuja: Nigeria has emerged as one of the largest beneficiaries of Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU), commonly referred to as Brexit, according to British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery. In an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Montgomery highlighted the strengthening trade and investment ties between the UK and Nigeria under a new post-Brexit framework that promises mutual economic advantages.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Montgomery pointed out that the post-Brexit environment has significantly impacted the UK-Nigeria relationship by facilitating an increase in the number of Nigerians living, working, and studying in the UK. This shift is evidenced by the rise in the Nigerian diaspora population in the UK from 300,000 in 2021 to an anticipated 550,000 by 2025.
Montgomery emphasized that the new visa regime in the UK, a direct outcome of Brexit, has been pivotal in allowing more Nigerians to relocate to the UK. He stated, “In 2021, we had an estimate that there were 300,000 people of Nigerian descent or nationality in the UK. Now that has risen to 550,000.”
The High Commissioner further explained that Brexit has enabled the UK to realign its economic relationships and pursue trade deals with countries beyond the EU, which has had varying implications. “Brexit is something that has caused a realignment in a lot of our economic relationships,” he noted, acknowledging that while some impacts may appear positive, others may not.