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Sub Saharan Africa

Nigeria

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Map of Nigeria Last reviewed: 13 February 2008

Country information

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Nigeria is the predominant power in West Africa. It was instrumental in the creation of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) in 1975. Under the ECOWAS umbrella, Nigeria has taken the lead in conflict resolution in several West African civil wars, putting troops into Liberia (twice) and Sierra Leone. Nigeria has also played an important role in other conflicts, most recently in Sudan, Sao Tome, and Cote d'Ivoire. Nigerian peacekeeping troops are currently stationed in Darfur as part of the African Union mission, and will also be deployed to Somalia. On the wider African stage, President Obasanjo is a founder of the New African Partnership for Development, NEPAD, the AU's flagship development blueprint. President Obasanjo held the Chair of the AU for 2005/06.

African Union

The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)

ECOWAS

Nigeria's long-running territorial dispute with Cameroon over the common border was finally settled when the ICJ ruled in October 2002. Minor adjustments were made along the whole length of the border, and some villages have been transferred as a result. The key judgement concerned the Bakassi peninsula. The ICJ awarded sovereignty to Cameroon but made pragmatic provision for ownership of the oil fields in the maritime sector. The modalities of the transfer of Bakassi were worked out in a Mixed Commission under UN aegis. Nigerian troops finally withdrew from Bakassi in August 2006.

Nigeria's Relations with the UK

The bilateral relationship is strong. The UK has been a leading supporter of Nigeria since the return to civilian rule and was a key advocate of debt relief for Nigeria. There is a steady flow of high-level visits in both directions, including a visit by HM The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh in December 2003, and the Prince of Wales in 2006.

There is a large Nigerian community in the UK, estimated to be between 800,000 and 3 million, while up to 4,000 Britons live in Nigeria.

Nigerian Government website

Cultural Relations with the UK

The British Council has offices in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt.

Recent Visits

Inward

Principal recent visits to the UK include:

President Olusegun Obasanjo (November 2004, June 2004, January 2004, July 2003, July 2002, June 2002, May 2002)
Vice President Atiku Abubakar (July 2004)
Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe (October 2007)

Outward

Principal recent visits to Nigeria include:

Kim Howells (October 2007)
Shriti Vadera (August 2007)
Baroness Royall (May 2007)
Baroness Amos, Leader, House of Lords (August 2006 and April 2007)
Lord Triesman, Minister for Africa (February 2007)
HRH Prince Charles (November 2006)
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria (November 2006)
HM The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh (December 2003)
Prime Minister (December 2003, February 2002)
Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (February 2006)
Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development (May 2006, September 2004, December 2004)

UK Policy

For recent statements of UK government policy towards Nigeria go to the Hansard website, and enter Nigeria in the search engine.

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Contacts

Nigeria

Address:

High Commission for the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Nigeria House
9 Northumberland Avenue
London WC2N 5BX


Immigration Section
9 Northumberland Avenue
WC2N 5BX


Defence Section
9 Northumberland Avenue
WC2N 5BX

Telephone:

(020) 7839 1244

Fax:

(020) 7839 8746
(020) 7925 0990 (Immigration)
(020) 7925 1483 (Defence)

 

Email: chancery@nigeriahc.org (High Commission)
Email: information@nigeriahc.org.uk (High Commission)
Email: visa@nigeriahc.org.uk (Visas)
Email: passport@nigeriahc.org.uk




 

Office hours:

Mon-Fri: 0930-1730
Mon-Fri: 1000-1300 (Visa)
Mon-Fri: 1000-1300 (Passport)

Website: http://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/

FCO Blogger

Find out about Bob's role as British High Commissioner to Nigeria.