Committees

The UK’s development partnership with Nigeria

Inquiry

Nigeria was the sixth largest recipient of UK Official Development Assistance in 2023 with over £100m allocated. This was a reduction from third place in 2022 when it received £110m. As of 2024, Nigeria had by far the largest population in Africa and one of the highest population growth rates. Nigeria is the fourth largest economy in Africa and has a diaspora numbering hundreds of thousands living in the UK.

Despite its economic growth and young population, the country continues to face development challenges. Its economy is heavily dependent on oil, and it faces security challenges from insurgencies and terrorist groups. Simmering ethnic and religious tensions, wealth disparities, a brain drain of talent to higher income countries, and vulnerability to climate change are just some of the issues which confront federal and state governments.

The current and previous UK governments have mentioned Nigeria in several key policy statements, describing it as a “rising power” with which the UK should “deepen investment ties and work together”. The Foreign Secretary has emphasised his desire for a relationship with Africa that prioritises “partnership not paternalism”. Despite this intention, there are still many questions unanswered about what the UK’s policy regarding its development partnership with Nigeria will look like: where its priorities will lie; how it will work with Nigerian Government and society to help tackle the challenges; how it will support a transition away from fossil fuels.

This new inquiry will explore remaining questions over the UK’s development relationship with Nigeria. These could include how the UK can help support Nigeria to develop governance and tackle corruption, how UK investment could help Nigeria transition away from fossil fuels, and how the UK can work with civil society to promote peace in the Sahel.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was 11:50pm on 25 August 2025.

Upcoming events

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No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Tuesday 28 April 2026
1:30pm Public
The UK’s development partnership with Nigeria - Oral evidence 28 April 2026
1:30pm
  • Chris Chijiutomi (Managing Director and Head of Africa at British International Investment)
2:15pm
  • The Rt Hon. the Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Minister for Development and Africa at Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
  • Cynthia Rowe (Development Director, Nigeria at Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Tuesday 13 January 2026
2:00pm Public
The UK’s development partnership with Nigeria - Oral evidence 13 January 2026
2:00pm
  • Hamsatu Allamin (Founder at Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development)
  • Saratu Joshua Pindar (Country Programme Co-ordinator at CIVIC)
  • Aisha Abdurrahman (Chief Executive at Bridge for Women Development Initiative (BOWDI))
2:45pm
  • Bryan Weiner (Senior Regional Programme Manager, West Africa at Search for Common Ground)
  • Tog Gang (Senior Advisor for Peace and Conflict at Mercy Corps)
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Tuesday 2 December 2025
2:00pm Public
The UK’s development partnership with Nigeria - Oral evidence 2 December 2025
2:00pm
  • Mary Dinah (CEO and Founder at Mary Dinah Foundation)
  • Evelyn Mere (Country Director at WaterAid Nigeria)
  • Andrew Mamedu (Country Director at ActionAid Nigeria)
3:00pm
  • Camilla Higgins (Director at INGO Forum Nigeria)
  • Thierno Samba Diallo (Country Director at Action against Hunger)
  • Arjun Jain (Representative in Nigeria at UNHCR)
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House

Contact us

We receive a significant number of emails each day. All requests and invitations are considered but we do not respond directly to everyone. Please be aware, the committee does not look at individual cases or specific complaints.

  • Email: indcom@parliament.uk
  • Address: International Development Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA