British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to hold talks with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the coming weeks focused on Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, outgoing British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery has revealed.
Montgomery, who made the disclosure during a visit to the Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman, Zaach Adedeji, at the Revenue House in Abuja, stated that the planned conversation between the two leaders would centre on monetary, fiscal and tax policies introduced by the Tinubu administration over the past three years.
“To be in Nigeria over a three-year period where so much has happened for the good was awesome,” Montgomery reflected on his tenure, acknowledging that the reforms had come with significant short-term hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
“I know that a lot of the economic reforms are tough, and they can cause short-term pain for ordinary people—devaluation, inflation, and so forth,” he said, while insisting that the measures were essential for long-term recovery.
The outgoing envoy praised the economic management team’s handling of Nigeria’s complex fiscal structure, noting that budget and fiscal management in the country is “always particularly difficult because of the way the budget works in the National Assembly.”
Montgomery commended the efforts of the finance ministers and the Revenue Service team for their work in stabilizing Nigeria’s finances. “I think what you and other key members in the economic management team have done is fundamental to the future of Nigeria,” he stated.
He specifically praised the technical expertise and political skill demonstrated in implementing difficult policies. “I am full of admiration for not just the technical, but also the politically savvy way in which your team has worked,” he added.
Montgomery noted that other positive developments, including leadership changes at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, increased investment efforts, and improvements in Nigeria’s credit ratings, have strengthened confidence in the economy.
However, the envoy offered a strategic recommendation, advising the government to target an increase in economic growth from approximately four per cent to seven per cent over the next four years. “That’s what will make a difference for ordinary people,” he said, expressing confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to achieve the feat.
Describing the Revenue Service as one of the United Kingdom’s strongest institutional partners, Montgomery praised the collaboration between the agency and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on operational peer reviews.
Adedeji, in his response, thanked the outgoing high commissioner for his personal and institutional support. “The way you’ve done this work actually changed the story, most especially your support, both personal as well as the technical assistance for our reforms,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu formally congratulated Burnham on his assumption of office and expressed his readiness to work closely with the new British leader.
The president’s message, delivered through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, noted that Tinubu recalled “with fond memories” his productive engagement with the immediate past Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his official visit to the UK in March.
The statement expressed confidence that Burnham would build on those achievements and strengthen bilateral ties under the Commonwealth framework.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria wishes Prime Minister Andy Burnham a successful tenure in office and assures him of Nigeria’s readiness to work closely with his administration in advancing shared priorities and addressing common global challenges,” the statement read.