UK silence fueled Nigeria persecution debate — Presidency

The Presidency has said a more balanced and well-informed intervention by the United Kingdom during recent international discussions on alleged religious persecution in Nigeria could have helped ease tensions and prevented speculation from shaping global perceptions about the country.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, made the remark in a post on his X account on Sunday ahead of the planned visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to London on Tuesday.

According to Dare, debates surrounding claims of religious persecution in Nigeria highlight the need for measured and informed contributions from Britain, given its long-standing historical and institutional familiarity with Nigeria.

He noted that the United Kingdom has maintained deep political, economic and institutional ties with Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy and one of its biggest economies.

However, Dare observed that London has sometimes appeared distant when controversial narratives about Nigeria surface in global discourse, despite possessing significant knowledge of the country’s political and social landscape.

He stressed that renewed engagement between both countries should go beyond trade and routine diplomatic exchanges to include candid dialogue and strategic cooperation.

“When President Tinubu arrives in London, he is not simply visiting a former colonial capital. He is engaging a nation whose financial markets, diaspora networks, universities and security institutions remain deeply intertwined with Nigeria’s trajectory,” Dare said.

The presidential aide also drew a comparison with Nigeria’s recent diplomatic engagement with Türkiye, where the president positioned the country within emerging global trade corridors.

Dare described Britain as a gateway to major global financial, technological and diplomatic systems, noting that deeper cooperation could strengthen Nigeria’s integration into these networks.

He added that the visit provides an opportunity for both nations to redefine their partnership and deepen collaboration for mutual benefit.

Dare emphasised that the historical relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom should evolve into a stronger strategic alliance capable of advancing shared interests.

“The task before both countries now is to ensure that the bridge built by history becomes a highway to the future,” he said.