British foreign secretary Boris Johnson opens new high commission building in Abuja

BRITISH foreign secretary Boris Johnson has opened the new United Kingdom's high commission in Abuja during a visit to Nigeria as part of an ongoing programme to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Nigeria used to be a British colony, having been created by Lord Frederick Lugard in 1914 and was governed by Britain until 1960 when she became an independent nation. Since then, the two countries have remained linked culturally, as Nigeria's civil service, military establishment, legal system and other public facilities are all structured along the same lines as those of Britain.

In addition, Britain remains one of Nigeria's largest trading partners and is also a favourite holiday destination for Nigerians. As part of the move to strengthen the ties between the two countries, Mr Johnson arrived in Nigeria yesterday and commissioned the new high commission building this morning.

Mr Johnson said: “It gives me great pleasure to open this wonderful, new, super, colossal British High Commission in the Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. It will further strengthen the British diplomatic ties with Nigeria.

“The British High Commission’s operations were significantly constrained by inadequate accommodation across four sites with little or no room for expansion. A consolidated hub was required to bring together all of Her Majesty's Government operations in Abuja to one secure location.”

He added that the new building is a symbol of UK’s long-term commitment to Nigeria. In addition, Mr Johnson said the facility provides a single platform for all the UK-based and locally engaged staff working across Her Majesty’s Government such as those employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development and the Home Office.

Over 100 Britons and 164 locally-engaged staff will work from the new building. Before diplomatic staff started moving into the new building six weeks ago, activities were conducted at the official residence of the British ambassador to Nigeria in Maitama, Abuja.

Mr Johnson also paid a visit to Maiduguri yesterday, where he inspected activities camps for the internally displaced persons, who are victims of Boko Haram's insurgency. He will later participate at a dedication ceremony for the new Commonwealth War Memorial in honour of about 2,000 Nigerian soldiers and servicemen who lost their lives during World War One and Two.